Method and device for transmitting data in wireless lan system

ABSTRACT

Proposed are a method and a device for transmitting data in a wireless LAN system. Specifically, a transmission device receives configuration information of a multi-band formed by aggregating first to third bands. The transmission device carries out channel sensing on the first to third bands. The transmission device transmits data to a receiving device on the basis of the result of the channel sensing. The first band comprises a first primary channel and a first secondary channel; the second band comprises a second primary channel and a second secondary channel; and the third band comprises a third primary channel and a third secondary channel.

BACKGROUND Field

The present specification relates to a scheme of transmitting data in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for performing channel sensing on a multi-band in the WLAN system.

Related Art

Discussion for a next-generation wireless local area network (WLAN) is in progress. In the next-generation WLAN, an object is to 1) improve an institute of electronic and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.11 physical (PHY) layer and a medium access control (MAC) layer in bands of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, 2) increase spectrum efficiency and area throughput, 3) improve performance in actual indoor and outdoor environments such as an environment in which an interference source exists, a dense heterogeneous network environment, and an environment in which a high user load exists, and the like.

An environment which is primarily considered in the next-generation WLAN is a dense environment in which access points (APs) and stations (STAs) are a lot and under the dense environment, improvement of the spectrum efficiency and the area throughput is discussed. Further, in the next-generation WLAN, in addition to the indoor environment, in the outdoor environment which is not considerably considered in the existing WLAN, substantial performance improvement is concerned.

In detail, scenarios such as wireless office, smart home, stadium, Hotspot, and building/apartment are largely concerned in the next-generation WLAN and discussion about improvement of system performance in a dense environment in which the APs and the STAs are a lot is performed based on the corresponding scenarios.

In the next-generation WLAN, improvement of system performance in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) environment and improvement of outdoor environment performance, and cellular offloading are anticipated to be actively discussed rather than improvement of single link performance in one basic service set (BSS). Directionality of the next-generation means that the next-generation WLAN gradually has a technical scope similar to mobile communication. When a situation is considered, in which the mobile communication and the WLAN technology have been discussed in a small cell and a direct-to-direct (D2D) communication area in recent years, technical and business convergence of the next-generation WLAN and the mobile communication is predicted to be further active.

SUMMARY

The present specification proposes a method and apparatus for transmitting data in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system.

An example of the present specification proposes a method of transmitting data.

The present embodiment may be performed in a network environment in which a next-generation WLAN system is supported. The next-generation WLAN system is a WLAN system evolved from an 802.11ax system, and may satisfy backward compatibility with the 802.11ax system.

The present embodiment may be performed in the transmitting device, and the transmitting device may correspond to a station (STA) supporting an extremely high throughput (EHT) WLAN system. The receiving device of the present embodiment may correspond to an access point (AP).

The transmitting device receives setup information on a multi-band in which first to third bands are aggregated.

The transmitting device performs channel sensing on the first band to the third band.

The transmitting device transmits the data to the receiving device, based on a result of the channel sensing.

The first band includes a first primary channel and a first secondary channel, the second band includes a second primary channel and a second secondary channel, and the third band includes a third primary channel and a third secondary channel.

The first band may be a 2.4 GHz band, the second band may be a 5 GHz band, and the third band may be a 6 GHz band.

Although a case where a multi-band is combination of three bands, i.e., a triple band, is described in the present embodiment, the aforementioned band configuration is only one example, and the WLAN system may support a variety of number of bands and channels. That is, the present embodiment may also include a case where the multi-band is combination of two bands and a case where one band is divided into radio frequencies (RFs) to combine bands supported by respective RFs.

If the first primary channel is busy and a first backoff count (BC) value is not 0, the first BC value is maintained.

If the second primary channel is idle and a second BC value is not 0, the second BC value is set to 0, and the channel sensing is performed on the second secondary channel.

If the third primary channel is idle and a third BC value is 0, the channel sensing is performed on the third secondary channel.

For example, if the secondary channel is idle and the third secondary channel is idle, the data may be transmitted through the second and third primary channels and the second and third secondary channels. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels in the first to third bands.

As another example, the third secondary channel may include a first channel and a second channel. In this case, if the first channel is busy and the second channel is idle, the first channel may be punctured, and the data may be transmitted through the second and third primary channels, the second secondary channel, and the second channel. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels in the first to third bands. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels other than the punctured channel in the first to third bands.

As another example, if the first primary channel is busy and the first BC value is not 0, the first primary channel may be punctured, and channel sensing may performed on the first secondary channel. If the first secondary channel is idle, the data may be transmitted through the first secondary channel, the second and third primary channels, and the second and third secondary channels. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels other than the punctured channel in the first to third bands.

The channel sensing may be performed on the first to third primary channels and the first to third secondary channels for a pre-set duration. The pre-set duration may be set to a PIFS (PCF (Point Coordination Function) Inter Frame Space), an AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space), or one slot.

As another example, the second band may be generated by aggregating a fourth band supported by a first radio frequency (RF) and a fifth band supported by a second RF. That is, each band may be aggregated by dividing the same band into 2 RFs.

The fourth band may include a fourth primary channel and a fourth secondary channel, and the fifth band may include a fifth primary channel and a fifth secondary channel.

If the fourth primary channel is idle and the fourth BC value is not 0, the fourth BC may be set to 0, and the channel sensing may be performed on the fourth secondary channel. If the fifth primary channel is idle and the fifth BC value is 0, the channel sensing may be performed on the fifth secondary channel.

If the fourth secondary channel is idle and the fifth secondary channel is idle, the data may be transmitted through the third primary channel, the third secondary channel, the fourth and fifth primary channels, and the fourth and fifth secondary channels. That is, idle channels may be aggregated in the first to third bands to transmit the data.

Likewise, the channel sensing may be performed during a pre-set period for the fourth to fifth secondary channels. The pre-set period may be set to PIFS (PCF (Point Coordination Function) Inter Frame Space), AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space), or one slot.

In summary, the aforementioned embodiment describes a channel sensing and data transmission method in the presence of BC for each primary channel.

In a first embodiment, if a primary channel of a specific band is in an idle state but a BC value is not 0, a transmitting device may transmit data by setting the BC value to 0. The first embodiment may be applied to the second primary channel. Since the BC value is directly set to 0, there may be a problem in fairness. Advantageously, however, the data can be directly transmitted in the channel.

In a second embodiment, if the primary channel of the specific band is in an idle state but the BC value is not 0, the transmitting device may transmit the data by maintaining the BC value. The second embodiment is an embodiment which is not applied to the first to third primary channels, and a collision probability may increase since data is transmitted even if the BC value is not 0.

In a third embodiment, if the primary channel of the specific band is in a busy state and the BC value is not 0, the transmitting device may not transmit the data by maintaining the BC value. That is, as in the conventional manner, the transmitting device may persistently wait until the BC value is 0 and, when the BC value is 0, may transmit data if the channel is in the idle state. The third embodiment may be applied to the first primary channel. In addition, the third primary channel is also in a state where data can be directly transmitted since the BC value is 0, and thus it can be said that the third embodiment is applied.

In a fourth embodiment, if the primary channel of the specific band is in the busy state and the BC value is not 0, the transmitting device may transmit the data by maintaining the BC value, by performing puncturing on the primary channel and performing channel sensing on a secondary channel. Accordingly, when the secondary channel is idle even if the primary channel is busy, data may be transmitted in a corresponding band, thereby increasing efficiency of the band. In case of a first channel and second channel included in the third secondary channel, the fourth embodiment may be applied.

The first BC value may be selected in a first contention window (CW) determined for the first primary channel. The second BC value may be selected in a second CW determined for the second primary channel. The third BC value may be selected in a third CW determined for the third primary channel. The fourth BC value may be selected in a fourth CW determined for the fourth primary channel. The fifth BC value may be selected in a fifth CW determined for the fifth primary channel.

The transmitting device may receive Block Ack (BA) for the data. The BA may be received through the same channel as the channel on which the data is transmitted.

Hereinafter, a signaling scheme for multi-band aggregation will be described. It is described in the present embodiment that setup information on a multi-band is received, and signaling may be performed by employing an FST setup scheme.

The transmitting device may transmit a multi-band setup request frame to the receiving device. The transmitting device may receive a multi-band setup response frame from the receiving device.

The transmitting device may transmit a multi-band Ack request frame to the receiving device. The transmitting device may receive a multi-band Ack response frame from the receiving device.

The transmitting device may include a first station management entity (SME), a first MAC layer management entity (MLME), and a second MLME. The receiving device may include a second SME, a third MLME, and a fourth MLME.

The first MLME and the third MLME may be entities supporting the first band, and the second MLME and the fourth MLME may be entities supporting the second band.

The multi-band setup request frame and the multi-band setup response frame may be transmitted/received between the first MLME and the third MLME. The multi-band Ack request frame and the multi-band Ack response frame may be transmitted/received between the second MLME and the fourth MLME.

The first and second SMEs may generate a primitive including a multi-band parameter. The multi-band parameter may include a channel number, operating class, and band identifier (ID) designated in the multi-band. The primitive may be transferred to the first to fourth MLMEs.

The multi-band setup scheme includes four states when employing the FST setup scheme, and consists of a rule for a method of transitioning from one state to a next state. The four states are Initial, Setup Completed, Transition Done, and Transition Confirmed.

In the Initial state, the transmitting device and the receiving device communicate in an old band/channel. In this case, upon transmitting/receiving the FST setup request frame and the FST setup response frame between the transmitting device and the receiving device, a transition is made to the Setup Complete state, and the transmitting device and the receiving device are ready to change a band/channel(s) currently operating. An FST session may be entirely or partially transferred to another band/channel.

If a value of LLT included in the FST setup request frame is 0, a transition is made from the Setup Complete state to the Transition Done state, and the transmitting device and the receiving device may operate in another band/channel.

Both the transmitting device and the receiving device shall communicate successfully in a new band/channel to reach the Transition Confirmed state. In this case, upon transmitting/receiving the FST Ack request frame and the FST Ack response frame between the transmitting device and the receiving device, a transition is made to the Transition Confirmed state, and the transmitting device and the receiving device establish a complete connection in the new band/channel.

According to an embodiment proposed in the present specification, a collision probability can be decreased by performing a new channel access method for transmitting data on a multi-band, thereby enabling effective data transmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating the structure of a wireless local area network (WLAN).

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PPDU used in an IEEE standard.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an HE PDDU.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a layout of resource units (RUs) used in a band of 20 MHz.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a layout of resource units (RUs) used in a band of 40 MHz.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a layout of resource units (RUs) used in a band of 80 MHz.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the HE PPDU.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating one example of HE-SIG-B according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a trigger frame.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a common information field.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a sub-field being included in a per user information field.

FIG. 12 illustrates one example of an HE TB PPDU.

FIG. 13 shows multiple channels allocated in a 5 GHz band.

FIG. 14 shows four states of an FST setup protocol.

FIG. 15 shows a procedure of an FST setup protocol.

FIG. 16 shows an example of multi-band aggregation using a 2.4 GHz band and a 5 GHz band.

FIG. 17 shows an example in which a primary channel exists in each band (or RF) when performing multi-band aggregation.

FIG. 18 shows a BC adjusting method according to the method A1.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B1.

FIG. 20 shows an example of a BC adjusting method according to the method A1, in the presence of 2 RFs.

FIG. 21 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B1, in the presence of 2 RFs.

FIG. 22 shows an example of a BC adjusting method according to the method A1, in case of a multi-band in the presence of 2 RFs.

FIG. 23 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B1, in case of a multi-band in the presence of 2 RFs.

FIG. 24 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B1, including 80 MHz preamble puncturing.

FIG. 25 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B1, including 160 MHz preamble puncturing.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B2.

FIG. 27 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B2, including 160 MHz preamble puncturing.

FIG. 28 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method C.

FIG. 29 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method C in the presence of 2 RFs.

FIG. 30 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method C, including 80 MHz preamble puncturing.

FIG. 31 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method D.

FIG. 32 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method D, including 80 MHz preamble puncturing.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of transmitting data in a transmitting device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of receiving data in a receiving device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a diagram for describing a device for implementing the above-described method.

FIG. 36 illustrates a more detailed wireless device for implementing the embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating the structure of a wireless local area network (WLAN).

An upper part of FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of an infrastructure basic service set (BSS) of institute of electrical and electronic engineers (IEEE) 802.11.

Referring the upper part of FIG. 1, the wireless LAN system may include one or more infrastructure BSSs (100, 105) (hereinafter, referred to as BSS). The BSSs (100, 105), as a set of an AP and an STA such as an access point (AP) (125) and a station (STA1) (100-1) which are successfully synchronized to communicate with each other, are not concepts indicating a specific region. The BSS (105) may include one or more STAs (105-1, 105-2) which may be joined to one AP (130).

The BSS may include at least one STA, APs providing a distribution service, and a distribution system (DS) (110) connecting multiple APs.

The distribution system (110) may implement an extended service set (ESS) (140) extended by connecting the multiple BSSs (100, 105). The ESS (140) may be used as a term indicating one network configured by connecting one or more APs (125, 130) through the distribution system (110). The AP included in one ESS (140) may have the same service set identification (SSID).

A portal (120) may serve as a bridge which connects the wireless LAN network (IEEE 802.11) and another network (e.g., 802.X).

In the BSS illustrated in the upper part of FIG. 1, a network between the APs (125, 130) and a network between the APs (125, 130) and the STAs (100-1, 105-1, 105-2) may be implemented. However, the network is configured even between the STAs without the APs (125, 130) to perform communication. A network in which the communication is performed by configuring the network even between the STAs without the APs (125, 130) is defined as an Ad-Hoc network or an independent basic service set (IBSS).

A lower part of FIG. 1 illustrates a conceptual view illustrating the IBSS.

Referring to the lower part of FIG. 1, the IBSS is a BSS that operates in an Ad-Hoc mode. Since the IBSS does not include the access point (AP), a centralized management entity that performs a management function at the center does not exist. That is, in the IBSS, STAs (150-1, 150-2, 150-3, 155-4, 155-5) are managed by a distributed manner. In the IBSS, all STAs (150-1, 150-2, 150-3, 155-4, 155-5) may be constituted by movable STAs and are not permitted to access the DS to constitute a self-contained network.

The STA as a predetermined functional medium that includes a medium access control (MAC) that follows a regulation of an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard and a physical layer interface for a radio medium may be used as a meaning including all of the APs and the non-AP stations (STAs).

The STA may be called various a name such as a mobile terminal, a wireless device, a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile subscriber unit, or just a user.

Meanwhile, the term user may be used in various meanings, for example, in wireless LAN communication, this term may be used to signify a STA participating in uplink MU MIMO and/or uplink OFDMA transmission. However, the meaning of this term will not be limited only to this.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PPDU used in an IEEE standard.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, various types of PHY protocol data units (PPDUs) may be used in a standard such as IEEE a/g/n/ac, and so on. In detail, LTF and STF fields include a training signal, SIG-A and SIG-B include control information for a receiving station, and a data field includes user data corresponding to a PSDU.

In the embodiment, an improved technique is provided, which is associated with a signal (alternatively, a control information field) used for the data field of the PPDU. The signal provided in the embodiment may be applied onto high efficiency PPDU (HE PPDU) according to an IEEE 802.11ax standard. That is, the signal improved in the embodiment may be HE-SIG-A and/or HE-SIG-B included in the HE PPDU. The HE-SIG-A and the HE-SIG-B may be represented even as the SIG-A and SIG-B, respectively. However, the improved signal proposed in the embodiment is not particularly limited to an HE-SIG-A and/or HE-SIG-B standard and may be applied to control/data fields having various names, which include the control information in a wireless communication system transferring the user data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an HE PDDU.

The control information field provided in the embodiment may be the HE-SIG-B included in the HE PPDU. The HE PPDU according to FIG. 3 is one example of the PPDU for multiple users and only the PPDU for the multiple users may include the HE-SIG-B and the corresponding HE SIG-B may be omitted in a PPDU for a single user.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the HE-PPDU for multiple users (MUs) may include a legacy-short training field (L-STF), a legacy-long training field (L-LTF), a legacy-signal (L-SIG), a high efficiency-signal A (HE-SIG A), a high efficiency-signal-B (HE-SIG B), a high efficiency-short training field (HE-STF), a high efficiency-long training field (HE-LTF), a data field (alternatively, an MAC payload), and a packet extension (PE) field. The respective fields may be transmitted during an illustrated time period (that is, 4 or 8 μs).

More detailed description of the respective fields of FIG. 3 will be made below.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a layout of resource units (RUs) used in a band of 20 MHz.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, resource units (RUs) corresponding to tone (that is, subcarriers) of different numbers are used to constitute some fields of the HE-PPDU. For example, the resources may be allocated by the unit of the RU illustrated for the HE-STF, the HE-LTF, and the data field.

As illustrated in an uppermost part of FIG. 4, 26 units (that is, units corresponding to 26 tones). 6 tones may be used as a guard band in a leftmost band of the 20 MHz band and 5 tones may be used as the guard band in a rightmost band of the 20 MHz band. Further, 7 DC tones may be inserted into a center band, that is, a DC band and a 26-unit corresponding to each 13 tones may be present at left and right sides of the DC band. The 26-unit, a 52-unit, and a 106-unit may be allocated to other bands. Each unit may be allocated for a receiving station, that is, a user.

Meanwhile, the RU layout of FIG. 4 may be used even in a situation for a single user (SU) in addition to the multiple users (MUs) and, in this case, as illustrated in a lowermost part of FIG. 4, one 242-unit may be used and, in this case, three DC tones may be inserted.

In one example of FIG. 4, RUs having various sizes, that is, a 26-RU, a 52-RU, a 106-RU, a 242-RU, and the like are proposed, and as a result, since detailed sizes of the RUs may extend or increase, the embodiment is not limited to a detailed size (that is, the number of corresponding tones) of each RU.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a layout of resource units (RUs) used in a band of 40 MHz.

Similarly to a case in which the RUs having various RUs are used in one example of FIG. 4, 26-RU, 52-RU, 106-RU, 242-RU, 484-RU, and the like, may be used even in one example of FIG. 5. Further, 5 DC tones may be inserted into a center frequency, 12 tones may be used as the guard band in the leftmost band of the 40 MHz band and 11 tones may be used as the guard band in the rightmost band of the 40 MHz band.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the RU layout is used for the single user, the 484-RU may be used. That is, the detailed number of RUs may be modified similarly to one example of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a layout of resource units (RUs) used in a band of 80 MHz.

Similarly to a case in which the RUs having various RUs are used in one example of each of FIG. 4 or 5, 26-RU, 52-RU, 106-RU, 242-RU, 484-RU, and the like, may be used even in one example of FIG. 6. Further, 7 DC tones may be inserted into the center frequency, 12 tones may be used as the guard band in the leftmost band of the 80 MHz band and 11 tones may be used as the guard band in the rightmost band of the 80 MHz band. In addition, the 26-RU may be used, which uses 13 tones positioned at each of left and right sides of the DC band.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the RU layout is used for the single user, 996-RU may be used and, in this case, 5 DC tones may be inserted.

Meanwhile, the detailed number of RUs may be modified similarly to one example of each of FIG. 4 or FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the HE PPDU.

A block illustrated in FIG. 7 is another example of describing the HE-PPDU block of FIG. 3 in terms of a frequency.

An illustrated L-STF (700) may include a short training orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol. The L-STF (700) may be used for frame detection, automatic gain control (AGC), diversity detection, and coarse frequency/time synchronization.

An L-LTF (710) may include a long training orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol. The L-LTF (710) may be used for fine frequency/time synchronization and channel prediction.

An L-SIG (720) may be used for transmitting control information. The L-SIG (720) may include information regarding a data rate and a data length. Further, the L-SIG (720) may be repeatedly transmitted. That is, a new format, in which the L-SIG (720) is repeated (for example, may be referred to as R-LSIG) may be configured.

An HE-SIG-A (730) may include the control information common to the receiving station.

In detail, the HE-SIG-A (730) may include information on 1) a DL/UL indicator, 2) a BSS color field indicating an identify of a BSS, 3) a field indicating a remaining time of a current TXOP period, 4) a bandwidth field indicating at least one of 20, 40, 80, 160 and 80+80 MHz, 5) a field indicating an MCS technique applied to the HE-SIG-B, 6) an indication field regarding whether the HE-SIG-B is modulated by a dual subcarrier modulation technique for MCS, 7) a field indicating the number of symbols used for the HE-SIG-B, 8) a field indicating whether the HE-SIG-B is configured for a full bandwidth MIMO transmission, 9) a field indicating the number of symbols of the HE-LTF, 10) a field indicating the length of the HE-LTF and a CP length, 11) a field indicating whether an OFDM symbol is present for LDPC coding, 12) a field indicating control information regarding packet extension (PE), and 13) a field indicating information on a CRC field of the HE-SIG-A, and the like. A detailed field of the HE-SIG-A may be added or partially omitted. Further, some fields of the HE-SIG-A may be partially added or omitted in other environments other than a multi-user (MU) environment.

In addition, the HE-SIG-A (730) may be composed of two parts: HE-SIG-A1 and HE-SIG-A2. HE-SIG-A1 and HE-SIG-A2 included in the HE-SIG-A may be defined by the following format structure (fields) according to the PPDU. First, the HE-SIG-A field of the HE SU PPDU may be defined as follows.

TABLE 1 Two Parts of Number HE-SIG-A Bit Field of bits Description HE-SIG- B0 Format 1 Differentiate an HE SU PPDU and HE ER SU PPDU A1 front an HE TB PDDU: Set to 1 for an HE SU PPDU and HE ER SU PPDU B1 Beam 1 Set to 1 to indicate that the pre-HE modulated fields of Change the PPDU are spatially mapped differently from the first symbol of the HE-LTF. Equation (28-6), Equation (28-9), Equation (28-12), Equation (28-14), Equation (28-16) and Equation (28-18) apply if the Beam Change field is set to 1. Set to 0 to indicate that the pre-HE modulated fields of the PPDU are spatially mapped the same way as the first symbol of the HE-LTF on each tone. Equation (28- 8), Equation (28-10), Equation (28-13), Equation (28- 15), Equation (28-17) and Equation (28-19) apply if the Beam Change field is set to 0.(#16803) B2 UL/DL 1 Indicates whether the PPDU is sent UL or DL. Set to the value indicated by the TXVECTOR parameter UPLINK_FLAG. B3-B6 MCS 4 For an HE SU PPDU: Set ton for MCSn, where n = 0, 1, 2, . . . , 11 Values 12-15 are reserved For HE ER SU PPDU with Bandwidth field set to 0 (242-tone RU): Set to n for MCSn, where n = 0, 1, 2 Values 3-15 are reserved For HE ER SU PPDU with Bandwidth field set to 1 (upper frequency 106-tone RU): Set to 0 for MCS 0 Values 1-15 are reserved B7 DCM 1 Indicates whether or not DCM is applied to the Data field for the MCS indicated. If the STBC field is 0, then set to 1 to indicate that DCM is applied to the Data field. Neither DCM nor STBC shall be applied if(#15489) both the DCM and STBC are set to 1. Set to 0 to indicate that DCM is not applied to the Data field. NOTE-DCM is applied only to HE-MCSs 0, 1, 3 and 4. DCM is applied only to 1 and 2 spatial streams. DCM is not applied in combination with STBC(#15490). B8-B13 BSS Color 6 The BSS Color field is an identifier of the BSS. Set to the value of the TXVECTOR parameter BSS_- COLOR. B14 Reserved 1 Reserved and set to 1 B15-B18 Spatial Reuse 4 Indicates whether or not spatial reuse is allowed during the transmission of this PPDU(#16804). Set to a value from Table 28-21 (Spatial Reuse field encoding for an HE SU PPDU, HE ER SU PPDU, and HE MU PPDU), see 27.11.6 (SPATIAL_REUSE). Set to SRP_DISALLOW to prohibit SRP-based spatial reuse during this PPDU. Set to SRP_AND_NON_S- RG_OBSS_PD_PROHIBITED to prohibit both SRP- based spatial reuse and non-SRG OBSS PD-based spa- tial reuse during this PPDU. For the interpretation of other values see 27.11.6 (SPATIAL_REUSE) and 27.9 (Spatial reuse operation). B19-B20 Bandwidth 2 For an HE SU PPDU: Set to 0 for 20 MHz Set to 1 for 40 MHz Set to 2 for 80 MHz Set to 3 for 160 MHz and 80 + 80 MHz For an HE ER SU PPDU: Set to 0 for 242-tone RU Set to 1 for upper frequency 106-tone RU within the primary 20 MHz Values 2 and 3 are reserved B21-B22 GI + LTF Size 2 Indicates the GI duration and HE-LTF size. Set to 0 to indicate a 1× HE-LTF and 0.8 μs GI Set to 1 to indicate a 2× HE-LTF and 0.8 μs GI Set to 2 to indicate a 2× HE-LTF and 1.6 μs GI Set to 3 to indicate: a 4× HE-LTF and 0.8 μs GI if both the DCM and STBC fields are 1. Neither DCM nor STBC shall be applied if (#Ed) both the DCM and STBC fields are set to 1. a 4× HE-LTF and 3.2 μs GI, otherwise B23-B25 NSTS And 3 If the Doppler field is 0, indicates the number of space- Midamble time streams. Periodicity Set to the number of space-time streams minus 1 For an HE ER SU PPDU, values 2 to 7 are reserved If the Doppler field is 1; then B23-B24 indicates the number of space time streams, up to 4, and B25 indi- cates the midamble periodicity. B23-B24 is set to the number of space time streams minus 1. For an HE ER SU PPDU, values 2 and 3 are reserved B25 is set to 0 if TXVECTOR parameter MEDAM- BLE_PERIODICITY is 10 and set to 1 if TXVECTOR parameter MIDAMBLE_PERIODICITY is 20. HE-SIG- B0-B6 TXOP 7 Set to 127 to indicate no duration information A2 (HE if (#151491) TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURA- SU TION is set to UNSPECIFIED. PPDU) or HE-SIG- Set to a value less than 127 to indicate duration infor- A3 (HE mation for NAV setting and protection of the TXOP as ER SU follows: PPDU) If TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is less than 512, then BO is set to 0 and B1-B6 is set to lloor(TXOP DURA TION/8)(#16277). Otherwise, B0 is set to 1 and B1-B6 is set to floor ((TXOP_DURATION - 512 )/128)(#16277). where(#16061) B0 indicates the TXOP length granularity. Set to 0 for 8 μs; otherwise set to 1 for 128 μs. B1-B6 indicates the scaled value of the TXOP_DU- RATION B7 Coding 1 Indicates whether BCC or LDPC is used: Set to 0 to indicate BCC Set to 1 to indicate LDPC B8 LDPC Extra 1 Indicates the presence of the extra OFDM symbol seg- Symbol Seg- ment for LDPC: melt Set to 1 if an extra OFDM symbol segment for LDPC is present Set to 0 if an extra OFDM symbol segment for LDPC is not present Reserved and set to 1 if the Coding field is set to 0(#15492). B9 STBC 1 If the DCM field is set to 0, then set to 1 if space time block coding is used. Neither DCM nor STBC shall be applied if(#15493) both the DCM field and STBC field are set to 1. Set to 0 otherwise. B10 Beam- 1 Set to 1 if a beamforming steering matrix is applied to formed(#180 the waveform in an SU transmission. 48) Set to 0 otherwise. B11-B12 Pre-FEC 2 Indicates the pre-FEC padding factor. Padding Fac- Set to 0 to indicate a pre-FEC padding factor of 4 tor Set to 1 to indicate a pre-FEC padding factor of 1 Set to 2 to indicate a pre-FEC padding factor of 2 Set to 3 to indicate a pre-FEC padding factor of 3 B13 PE Disambi- 1 Indicates PE disambiguity(#16274) as defined in guity 28.3.12 (Packet extension). B14 Reserved 1 Reserved and set to 1 B15 Doppler 1 Set to 1 if one of the following applies: The number of OFDM symbols in the Data field is larger than the signaled midamble peri- odicity plus 1 and the midamble is present The number of OFDM symbols in the Data field is less than or equal to the signaled mid- amble periodicity plus 1 (see 28.3.11.16 Mid- amble), the midamble is not present, but the channel is fast varying. It recommends that midamble may be used for the PPDUs of the reverse link. Set to 0 otherwise. B16-B19 CRC 4 CRC for bits 0-41 of the HE-SIG-A field (see 28.3.10.7.3 (CRC computation)). Bits 0-41 of the HE- SIG-A field correspond to bits 0-25 of HE-SIG-A1 fol- lowed by bits 0-15 of HE-SIG-A2). B20-B25 Tail 6 Used to terminate the trellis of the convolutional decoder. Set to 0.

In addition, the HE-SIG-A field of the HE MU PPDU may be defined as follows.

TABLE 2 Two Parts of Number HE-SIG-A Bit Field of bits Description HE-SIG-A1 B0 UL/DL 1 Indicates whether the PPDU is sent UL or DL. Set to the value indicated by the TXVECTOR parameter UPLINK_FLAG.(#16805) NOTE-The TDLS peer can identify the TDLS frame by To DS and From DS fields in the MAC header of the MPDU. B1-B3 SIGB MCS 3 Indicates the MCS of the HE-SIG-B field: Set to 0 for MCS 0 Set to 1 for MCS 1 Set to 2 for MCS 2 Set to 3 for MCS 3 Set to 4 for MCS 4 Set to 5 for MCS 5 The values 6 and 7 are reserved B4 SIGB DCM 1 Set to 1 indicates that the HE-SIG-B is modulated with DCM Err the MCS. Set to 0 indicates that the HE-SIG-B is not modulated with DCM for the MCS. NOTE-DCMis only applicable to MCS 0, MCS 1, MCS 3, and MCS 4. B5-B10 BSS Color 6 The BSS Color field is an identifier of the BSS. Set to the value of the TXVECTOR parameter BSS_- COLOR. B11-B14 Spatial Reuse 4 Indicates whether or not spatial reuse is allowed during the transmission of this PPDU(#16806). Set to the value of the SPATIAL_REUSE parameter of the TXVECTOR, which contains a value from Table 28-21 (Spatial Reuse field encoding for an HE SU PPDU, HE ER SU PPDU, and HE MU PPDU)(see 27.11.6 (SPATIAL_REUSE)). Set to SRP_DISALLOW to prohibit SRP-based spatial reuse during this PPDU. Set to SRP_AND_NON_S- RG_OBSS_PD_PROHIBITED to prohibit both SRP- based spatial reuse and non-SRG OBSS PD-based spa- tial reuse during this PPDU. For the interpretation of other values see 27.11.6 (SPATIAL_REUSE) and 27.9 (Spatial reuse operation). B15-B17 Bandwidth 3 Set to 0 for 20 MHz. Set to 1 for 40 MHz. Set to 2 for 80 MHz non-preamble puncturing mode. Set to 3 for 160 MHz and 80 + 80 MHz non-preamble puncturing mode. If the SIGB Compression field is 0: Set to 4 for preamble puncturing in 80 MHz, where in the preamble only the secondary 20 MHz is punc- tured. Set to 5 for preamble puncturing in 80 MHz, where in the preamble only one of the two 20 MHz sub- channels in secondary 40 MHz is punctured. Set to 6 for preamble puncturing in 160 MHz or 80 + 80 MHz, where in the primary 80 MHz of the preamble only the secondary 20 MHz is punctured. Set to 7 for preamble puncturing in 160 MHz or 80 + 80 MHz, where in the primary 80 MHz of the preamble the primary 40 MHz is present. If the SIGB Compression field is 1 then values 4-7 are reserved. B18-B21 Number Of 4 If the HE-SIG-B Compression field is set to 0, indicates HE-SIG-B the number of OFDM symbols in the HE-SIG-B Symbols Or field:(#15494) MU-MIMO Set to the number of OFDM symbols in the HE-SIG- Users B field minus 1 if the number of OFDM symbols M the HE-SIG-B field is less than 16; Set to 15 to indicate that the number of OFDM sym- bols in the HE-SIG-B field is equal to 16 if Longer Than 16 HE SIG-B OFDM Symbols Support sub- field of the HE Capabilities element transmitted by at least one recipient STA is 0; Set to 15 to indicate that the number of OFDM sym- bols in the HE-SIG-13 field is greater than or equal to 16 if the Longer Than 16 HE SIG-B OFDM Sym- bols Support subfield of the HE Capabilities element transmitted by all the recipient STAs are 1 and if the HE-SIG-B data rate is less than MCS 4 without DCM. The exact number of OFDM symbols in the HE-SIG-B field is calculated based on the number of User fields in the HE-SIG-13 content channel which is indicated by HE-SIG-B common field in this case. If the HE-SIG-B Compression field is set to 1, indicates the number of MU-MIMO users and is set to the num- ber of NU-MIMO users minus 1(#15495). B22 SIGB Com- 1 Set to 0 if the Common field in HE-SIG-B is present. pression Set to 1 if the Common field in HE-SIG-B is not pres- ent(#16139) B23-B24 GI + LTF Size 2 Indicates the GI duration and HE-LTF size: Set to 0 to indicate a 4× HE-LTF and 0.8 μs GI Set to 1 to indicate a 2× HE-LTF and 0.8 μs GI Set to 2 to indicate a 2× HE-LTF and 1.6 μs GI Set to 3 to indicate a 4× HE-LTF and 3.2 μs GI B25 Doppler 1 Set to 1 if one of the following applies: The number of OFDM symbols in the Data field is larger than the signaled midamble peri- odicity plus 1 and the midamble is present The number of OFDM symbols in the Data field is less than or equal to the signaled mid- amble periodicity plus 1 (see 28.3.11.16 Mid- amble), the midamble is not present, but the channel is fast varying. It recommends that midamble may be used for the PPDUs of the reverse link. Set to 0 otherwise. HE-SIG- B0-B6 TXOP 7 Set to 127 to indicate no duration in information A2 if (#15496) TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURA- TION is set to UNSPECIFIED. Set to a value less than 127 to indicate duration infor- mation for NAV setting and protection of the TXOP as follows: If TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is less than 512, then B0 is set to 0 and B1-B6 is set to floor(TXOP_DURATION/8)(#16277). Otherwise, B0 is set to 1 and B1-B6 is set to floor ((TXOP_DURATION - 512 )/128)(#16277). where(#16061) B0 indicates the TXOP length granularity. Set to 0 for 8 μs; otherwise set to 1 for 128 μs. B1-B6 indicates the scaled value of the TXOP_DU- RATION B7 Reserved 1 Reserved and set to 1 B8-B10 Number of 3 If the Doppler field is set to 0(#15497), indicates the HE-LTF number of HE-LTF symbols: SymbolsAnd Set to 0 for 1 HE-LTF symbol Midamble Set to 1 for 2 HE-I.TF symbols Periodicity Set to 2 for 4 HE-LTF symbols Set to 3 for 6 HE-LTF symbols Set to 4 for 8 HE-LTF symbols Other values are reserved. If the Doppler field is set to 1(#15498), B8-B9 indi- cates the number of HE-LTF symbols(#16056) and B10 indicates rnidamble periodicity: B8-B9 is encoded as follows: 0 indicates 1 HE-LTF symbol 1 indicates 2 HE-LTF symbols 2 indicates 4 HE-LTF symbols 3 is reserved B10 is set to 0 if the TXVECTOR parameter MIDAM- BLE_PERIODICITY is 10 and set to 1 if the TXVEC- TOR parameter PREAMBLE_PERIODICITY is 20. B11 LDPC Extra 1 Indication of the presence of the extra OFDM symbol Symbol Seg- segment for LDPC. ment Set to 1 if an extra OFDM symbol segment for LDPC is present. Set to 0 otherwise. B12 STBC 1 In an HE MU PPDU where each RU includes no more than 1 user, set to 1 to indicate all RUs are STBC encoded in the payload, set to 0 to indicate all RUs are not STBC encoded in the payload. STBC does not apply to HE-SIG-B. STBC is not applied if one or more RUs are used for MU-MIMO allocation. (#15661) B13-B14 Pre-FEC 2 Indicates the pre-FEC padding factor. Padding Fac- Set to 0 to indicate a pre-FEC padding factor of 4 tor Set to 1 to indicate a pre-FEC padding factor of 1 Set to 2 to indicate a pre-FEC padding factor of 2 Set to 3 to indicate a pre-FEC padding factor of 3 B15 PE Disambi- 1 Indicates PE disambiguity(#16274) as defmed in guity 28.3.12 (Packet extension). B16-B19 CRC 4 CRC for bits 0-41 of the HE-SIG-A field (see 28.3.10.7.3 (CRC computation)). Bits 0-41 of the HE- SIG-A field correspond to bits 0-25 of HE-SIG-A1 fol- lowed by bits 0-15 of HE-SIG-A2). B20-B25 Tail 6 Used to terminate the trellis of the convolutional decoder. Set to 0.

In addition, the HE-SIG-A field of the HE TB PPDU may be defined as follows.

TABLE 3 Two Parts of Number HE-SIG-A Bit Field of bits Description HE-SIG-A1 B0 Format 1 Differentiate an HE SU PPDU and HE ER SU PPDU from an HE TB PPDU: Set to 0 for an HE TB PPDU B1-B6 BSS Color 6 The BSS Color field is an identifier of the BSS. Set to the value of the TXVECTOR parameter BSS_- COLOR. B7-B10 Spatial Reuse 4 Indicates whether or not spatial reuse is allowed in a 1 subband of the PPDU during the transmission of this PPDIJ, and if allowed, indicates a value that is used to determine a limit on the transmit power of a spatial reuse transmission. If the Bandwidth field indicates 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz then this Spatial Reuse field applies to the first 20 MHz subband. If the Bandwidth field indicates 160/80 + 80 MHz then this Spatial Reuse field applies to the first 40 MHz sub- band of the 160 MHz operating band. Set to the value of the SPATIAL_REUSE(1) parameter of the TXVECTOR, which contains a value from Table 28-22 (Spatial Reuse field encoding for an HE TB PPDU) for an HE TB PPDU (see 27.11.6 (SPA- TIAL_REUSE)). Set to SRP_DISALLOW to prohibit SRP-based spatial reuse during this PPDIJ. Set to SRP_AND NON_S- RG_OBSS_PD_PROBIBITED to prohibit both SRP- based spatial reuse and non-SRG OBSS PD-based spa- tial reuse during this PPDU. For the interpretation of other values see 27.11.6 (SPATIAL_REUSE) and 27.9 (Spatial reuse operation). B11-B14 Spatial Reuse 4 Indicates whether or not spatial reuse is allowed in a 2 subband of the PPDU during the transmission of this PPDU, and if allowed, indicates a value that is used to determine a limit on the transmit power of a spatial reuse transmission. If the Bandwidth field indicates 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz: This Spatial Reuse field applies to the second 20 MHz subband. If(#Ed) the STA operating channel width is 20 MHz, then this field is set to the same value as Spatial Reuse 1 field. If(#Ed) the STA operating channel width is 40 MHz in the 2.4 GHz band, this field is set to the same value as Spatial Reuse 1 field. If the Bandwidth field indicates 160/80 + 80 MHz the this Spatial Reuse field applies to the second 40 MHz subband of the 160 MHz operating band. Set to the value of the SPATIAL_REUSE(2) parameter of the TXVECTOR, which contains a value from Table 28-22 (Spatial Reuse field encoding for an HE TB PPDU) for an HE TB PPDU (see 27.11.6 (SPA- TIAL_REUSE)). Set to SRP_DISALLOW to prohibit SRP-based spatial reuse during this PPDU. Set to SRP_AND_NON_S- RG_OBSS_PD_PROHIBITED to prohibit both SRP- based spatial reuse and non-SRG OBSS PD-based spa- tial reuse during this PPDU. For the interpretation of other values see 27.11.6 (SPATIAL_REUSE) and 27.9 (Spatial reuse operation). B15-B18 Spatial Reuse 4 Indicates whether or not spatial reuse is allowed in a 3 subband of the PPDU during the transmission of this PPDU, and if allowed, indicates a value that is used to determine a limit on the transmit power of a spatial reuse transmission. If the Bandwidth field indicates 20 MHz, 40 MHz or 80 MHz: This Spatial Reuse field applies to the third 20 MHz subband. IF(#Ed) the STA operating channel width is 20 MHz or 40 MHz, this field is set to the same value as Spa- tial Reuse 1 field. If the Bandwidth field indicates 160/80 + 80MHz: This Spatial Reuse field applies to the third 40 MHz subband of the 160 MHz operating band. If(#Ed) the STA operating channel width is 80 + 80 MHz, this field is set to the same value as Spatial Reuse 1 field. Set to the value of the SPATIAL_REUSE(3) parameter of the TXVECTOR, which contains a value from Table 28-22 (Spatial Reuse field encoding for an HE TB PPDU) for an HE TB PPDU (see 27.11.6 (SPA- TIAL_REUSE)). Set to SRP_DISALLOW to prohibit SRP-based spatial reuse during this PPDU. Set to SRP_AND_NON_S- RG_OBSS_PD_PROHIBITED to prohibit both SRP- based spatial reuse and non-SRG OBSS PD-based spa- tial reuse during this PPDU. For the interpretation of other values see 27.11.6 (SPATIAL REUSE) and 27.9 (Spatial reuse operation). B19-B22 Spatial Reuse 4 Indicates whether or not spatial reuse is allowed in a 4 subband of the PPDU during the transmission of this PPDU, and if allowed, indicates a value that is used to determine a limit on the transmit power of a spatial reuse transmission. If the Bandwidth field indicates 20 MHz, 40 MHz or 80 MHz: This Spatial Reuse field applies to the fourth 20 MHz subband. If(#Ed) the STA operating channel width is 20 MHz, then this field is set to the same value as Spatial Reuse 1 field. If(#Ed) the STA operating channel width is 40 MHz, then this field is set to the mine value as Spatial Reuse 2 field. If the Bandwidth field indicates 160/80 + 80 MHz: This Spatial Reuse field applies to the fourth 40 MHz subband of the 160 MHz operating band. If(#Ed) the STA operating channel width is 80 + 80 MHz, then this field is set to same value as Spatial Reuse 2 field. Set to the value of the SPATIAL_REUSE(4) parameter of the TXVECTOR, which contains a value from Table 28-22 (Spatial Reuse field encoding for an HE TB PPDU) for an HE TB PPDU (see 27.11.6 (SPA- TIAL_REUSE)). Set to SRP_DISAELOW to prohibit SRP-based spatial reuse during this PPDU. Set to SRP_AND_NON_S- RG_OBSS_PD_PROHIBITED to prohibit both SRP- based spatial reuse and non-SRG OBSS PD-based spa- tial reuse during this PPDU. For the interpretation of other values see 27.11.6 (SPATIAL REUSE) and 27.9 (Spatial reuse operation). B23 Reserved 1 Reserved and set to 1. NOTE-Unlike other Reserved fields in HE-SIG-A of the HE TB PPDU, B23 does not have a corresponding bit in the Trigger frame. B24-B25 Bandwidth 2 (#16003)Set to 0 for 20 MHz Set to 1 for 40 MHz Set to 2 for 80 MHz Set to 3 for 160 MHz and 80 + 80 MHz HE-SIG- B0-B6 TXOP 7 Set to 127 to indicate no duration information A2 if(415499) TX VECTOR parameter TXOP_DURA- TION is set to UNSPECIFIED. Set to a value less than 127 to indicate duration infor- mation for NAV setting and protection of the TXOP as follows: If TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is less than 512, then B0 is set to (land B1-B6 is set to floor(TXOP_DURATION/8)(#16277). Otherwise, B0 is set to 1 and B1-B6 is set to floor ((TXOP DURATION - 512)/128)(#16277). where(#16061) B0 indicates the TXOP length granularity. Set to 0 for 8 μs; otherwise set to 1 for 128 μs. B1-B6 indicates the scaled value of the TXOP_DU- RATION B7-B15 Reserved 9 Reserved and set to value indicated in the UL HE-SIG- A2 Reserved subfield in the Trigger frame. B16-B19 CRC 4 CRC of bits 0-41 of the HE-SIG-A field. See 28.3.10.7.3 (CRC computation). Bits 0-41 of the HE- SIG-A field correspond to bits 0-25 of HE-SIG-A1 fol- lowed by bits 0-15 of HE-SIG-A2). B20-B25 Tail 6 Used to terminate the trellis of the convolutional decoder. Set to 0.

An HE-SIG-B (740) may be included only in the case of the PPDU for the multiple users (MUs) as described above. Principally, an HE-SIG-A (750) or an HE-SIG-B (760) may include resource allocation information (alternatively, virtual resource allocation information) for at least one receiving STA.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating one example of HE-SIG-B according to an embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the HE-SIG-B field includes a common field at a frontmost part and the corresponding common field is separated from a field which follows therebehind to be encoded. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the HE-SIG-B field may include a common field including the common control information and a user-specific field including user-specific control information. In this case, the common field may include a CRC field corresponding to the common field, and the like and may be coded to be one BCC block. The user-specific field subsequent thereafter may be coded to be one BCC block including the “user-specific field” for 2 users and a CRC field corresponding thereto as illustrated in FIG. 8.

A previous field of the HE-SIG-B (740) may be transmitted in a duplicated form on a MU PPDU. In the case of the HE-SIG-B (740), the HE-SIG-B (740) transmitted in some frequency band (e.g., a fourth frequency band) may even include control information for a data field corresponding to a corresponding frequency band (that is, the fourth frequency band) and a data field of another frequency band (e.g., a second frequency band) other than the corresponding frequency band. Further, a format may be provided, in which the HE-SIG-B (740) in a specific frequency band (e.g., the second frequency band) is duplicated with the HE-SIG-B (740) of another frequency band (e.g., the fourth frequency band). Alternatively, the HE-SIG B (740) may be transmitted in an encoded form on all transmission resources. A field after the HE-SIG B (740) may include individual information for respective receiving STAs receiving the PPDU.

The HE-STF (750) may be used for improving automatic gain control estimation in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) environment or an OFDMA environment.

The HE-LTF (760) may be used for estimating a channel in the MIMO environment or the OFDMA environment.

The size of fast Fourier transform (FFT)/inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) applied to the HE-STF (750) and the field after the HE-STF (750), and the size of the FFT/IFFT applied to the field before the HE-STF (750) may be different from each other. For example, the size of the FFT/IFFT applied to the HE-STF (750) and the field after the HE-STF (750) may be four times larger than the size of the FFT/IFFT applied to the field before the HE-STF (750).

For example, when at least one field of the L-STF (700), the L-LTF (710), the L-SIG (720), the HE-SIG-A (730), and the HE-SIG-B (740) on the PPDU of FIG. 7 is referred to as a first field, at least one of the data field (770), the HE-STF (750), and the HE-LTF (760) may be referred to as a second field. The first field may include a field associated with a legacy system and the second field may include a field associated with an HE system. In this case, the fast Fourier transform (FFT) size and the inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) size may be defined as a size which is N (N is a natural number, e.g., N=1, 2, and 4) times larger than the FFT/IFFT size used in the legacy wireless LAN system. That is, the FFT/IFFT having the size may be applied, which is N (=4) times larger than the first field of the HE PPDU. For example, 256 FFT/IFFT may be applied to a bandwidth of 20 MHz, 512 FFT/IFFT may be applied to a bandwidth of 40 MHz, 1024 FFT/IFFT may be applied to a bandwidth of 80 MHz, and 2048 FFT/IFFT may be applied to a bandwidth of continuous 160 MHz or discontinuous 160 MHz.

In other words, a subcarrier space/subcarrier spacing may have a size which is 1/N times (N is the natural number, e.g., N=4, the subcarrier spacing is set to 78.125 kHz) the subcarrier space used in the legacy wireless LAN system. That is, subcarrier spacing having a size of 312.5 kHz, which is legacy subcarrier spacing may be applied to the first field of the HE PPDU and a subcarrier space having a size of 78.125 kHz may be applied to the second field of the HE PPDU.

Alternatively, an IDFT/DFT period applied to each symbol of the first field may be expressed to be N (=4) times shorter than the IDFT/DFT period applied to each data symbol of the second field. That is, the IDFT/DFT length applied to each symbol of the first field of the HE PPDU may be expressed as 3.2 μs and the IDFT/DFT length applied to each symbol of the second field of the HE PPDU may be expressed as 3.2 μs*4 (=12.8 μs). The length of the OFDM symbol may be a value acquired by adding the length of a guard interval (GI) to the IDFT/DFT length. The length of the GI may have various values such as 0.4 μs, 0.8 μs, 1.6 μs, 2.4 μs, and 3.2 μs.

For simplicity in the description, in FIG. 7, it is expressed that a frequency band used by the first field and a frequency band used by the second field accurately coincide with each other, but both frequency bands may not completely coincide with each other, in actual. For example, a primary band of the first field (L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, HE-SIG-A, and HE-SIG-B) corresponding to the first frequency band may be the same as the most portions of a frequency band of the second field (HE-STF, HE-LTF, and Data), but boundary surfaces of the respective frequency bands may not coincide with each other. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, since multiple null subcarriers, DC tones, guard tones, and the like are inserted during arranging the RUs, it may be difficult to accurately adjust the boundary surfaces.

The user (e.g., a receiving station) may receive the HE-SIG-A (730) and may be instructed to receive the downlink PPDU based on the HE-SIG-A (730). In this case, the STA may perform decoding based on the FFT size changed from the HE-STF (750) and the field after the HE-STF (750). On the contrary, when the STA may not be instructed to receive the downlink PPDU based on the HE-SIG-A (730), the STA may stop the decoding and configure a network allocation vector (NAV). A cyclic prefix (CP) of the HE-STF (750) may have a larger size than the CP of another field and the during the CP period, the STA may perform the decoding for the downlink PPDU by changing the FFT size.

Hereinafter, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, data (alternatively, or a frame) which the AP transmits to the STA may be expressed as a terms called downlink data (alternatively, a downlink frame) and data (alternatively, a frame) which the STA transmits to the AP may be expressed as a term called uplink data (alternatively, an uplink frame). Further, transmission from the AP to the STA may be expressed as downlink transmission and transmission from the STA to the AP may be expressed as a term called uplink transmission.

In addition, a PHY protocol data unit (PPDU), a frame, and data transmitted through the downlink transmission may be expressed as terms such as a downlink PPDU, a downlink frame, and downlink data, respectively. The PPDU may be a data unit including a PPDU header and a physical layer service data unit (PSDU) (alternatively, a MAC protocol data unit (MPDU)). The PPDU header may include a PHY header and a PHY preamble and the PSDU (alternatively, MPDU) may include the frame or indicate the frame (alternatively, an information unit of the MAC layer) or be a data unit indicating the frame. The PHY header may be expressed as a physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) header as another term and the PHY preamble may be expressed as a PLCP preamble as another term.

Further, a PPDU, a frame, and data transmitted through the uplink transmission may be expressed as terms such as an uplink PPDU, an uplink frame, and uplink data, respectively.

In the wireless LAN system to which the embodiment of the present description is applied, the total bandwidth may be used for downlink transmission to one STA and uplink transmission to one STA. Further, in the wireless LAN system to which the embodiment of the present description is applied, the AP may perform downlink (DL) multi-user (MU) transmission based on multiple input multiple output (MU MIMO) and the transmission may be expressed as a term called DL MU MIMO transmission.

In addition, in the wireless LAN system according to the embodiment, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) based transmission method is preferably supported for the uplink transmission and/or downlink transmission. That is, data units (e.g., RUs) corresponding to different frequency resources are allocated to the user to perform uplink/downlink communication. In detail, in the wireless LAN system according to the embodiment, the AP may perform the DL MU transmission based on the OFDMA and the transmission may be expressed as a term called DL MU OFDMA transmission. When the DL MU OFDMA transmission is performed, the AP may transmit the downlink data (alternatively, the downlink frame and the downlink PPDU) to the plurality of respective STAs through the plurality of respective frequency resources on an overlapped time resource. The plurality of frequency resources may be a plurality of subbands (alternatively, subchannels) or a plurality of resource units (RUs). The DL MU OFDMA transmission may be used together with the DL MU MIMO transmission. For example, the DL MU MIMO transmission based on a plurality of space-time streams (alternatively, spatial streams) may be performed on a specific subband (alternatively, subchannel) allocated for the DL MU OFDMA transmission.

Further, in the wireless LAN system according to the embodiment, uplink multi-user (UL MU) transmission in which the plurality of STAs transmits data to the AP on the same time resource may be supported. Uplink transmission on the overlapped time resource by the plurality of respective STAs may be performed on a frequency domain or a spatial domain.

When the uplink transmission by the plurality of respective STAs is performed on the frequency domain, different frequency resources may be allocated to the plurality of respective STAs as uplink transmission resources based on the OFDMA. The different frequency resources may be different subbands (alternatively, subchannels) or different resources units (RUs). The plurality of respective STAs may transmit uplink data to the AP through different frequency resources. The transmission method through the different frequency resources may be expressed as a term called a UL MU OFDMA transmission method.

When the uplink transmission by the plurality of respective STAs is performed on the spatial domain, different time-space streams (alternatively, spatial streams) may be allocated to the plurality of respective STAs and the plurality of respective STAs may transmit the uplink data to the AP through the different time-space streams. The transmission method through the different spatial streams may be expressed as a term called a UL MU MIMO transmission method.

The UL MU OFDMA transmission and the UL MU MIMO transmission may be used together with each other. For example, the UL MU MIMO transmission based on the plurality of space-time streams (alternatively, spatial streams) may be performed on a specific subband (alternatively, subchannel) allocated for the UL MU OFDMA transmission.

In the legacy wireless LAN system which does not support the MU OFDMA transmission, a multi-channel allocation method is used for allocating a wider bandwidth (e.g., a 20 MHz excess bandwidth) to one terminal. When a channel unit is 20 MHz, multiple channels may include a plurality of 20 MHz-channels. In the multi-channel allocation method, a primary channel rule is used to allocate the wider bandwidth to the terminal. When the primary channel rule is used, there is a limit for allocating the wider bandwidth to the terminal. In detail, according to the primary channel rule, when a secondary channel adjacent to a primary channel is used in an overlapped BSS (OBSS) and is thus busy, the STA may use remaining channels other than the primary channel. Therefore, since the STA may transmit the frame only to the primary channel, the STA receives a limit for transmission of the frame through the multiple channels. That is, in the legacy wireless LAN system, the primary channel rule used for allocating the multiple channels may be a large limit in obtaining a high throughput by operating the wider bandwidth in a current wireless LAN environment in which the OBSS is not small.

In order to solve the problem, in the embodiment, a wireless LAN system is disclosed, which supports the OFDMA technology. That is, the OFDMA technique may be applied to at least one of downlink and uplink. Further, the MU-MIMO technique may be additionally applied to at least one of downlink and uplink. When the OFDMA technique is used, the multiple channels may be simultaneously used by not one terminal but multiple terminals without the limit by the primary channel rule. Therefore, the wider bandwidth may be operated to improve efficiency of operating a wireless resource.

As described above, in case the uplink transmission performed by each of the multiple STAs (e.g., non-AP STAs) is performed within the frequency domain, the AP may allocate different frequency resources respective to each of the multiple STAs as uplink transmission resources based on OFDMA. Additionally, as described above, the frequency resources each being different from one another may correspond to different subbands (or sub-channels) or different resource units (RUs).

The different frequency resources respective to each of the multiple STAs are indicated through a trigger frame.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a trigger frame. The trigger frame of FIG. 9 allocates resources for Uplink Multiple-User (MU) transmission and may be transmitted from the AP. The trigger frame may be configured as a MAC frame and may be included in the PPDU. For example, the trigger frame may be transmitted through the PPDU shown in FIG. 3, through the legacy PPDU shown in FIG. 2, or through a certain PPDU, which is newly designed for the corresponding trigger frame. In case the trigger frame is transmitted through the PPDU of FIG. 3, the trigger frame may be included in the data field shown in the drawing.

Each of the fields shown in FIG. 9 may be partially omitted, or other fields may be added. Moreover, the length of each field may be varied differently as shown in the drawing.

A Frame Control field (910) shown in FIG. 9 may include information related to a version of the MAC protocol and other additional control information, and a Duration field (920) may include time information for configuring a NAV or information related to an identifier (e.g., AID) of the user equipment.

Also, the RA field (930) includes address information of a receiving STA of the corresponding trigger frame and may be omitted if necessary. The TA field (940) includes address information of an STA triggering the corresponding trigger frame (for example, an AP), and the common information field (950) includes common control information applied to a receiving STA that receives the corresponding trigger frame. For example, a field indicating the length of the L-SIG field of the UL PPDU transmitted in response to the corresponding trigger frame or information controlling the content of the SIG-A field (namely, the HE-SIG-A field) of the UL PPDU transmitted in response to the corresponding trigger frame may be included. Also, as common control information, information on the length of the CP of the UP PPDU transmitted in response to the corresponding trigger frame or information on the length of the LTF field may be included.

Also, it is preferable to include a per user information field (960 #1 to 960 #N) corresponding to the number of receiving STAs that receive the trigger frame of FIG. 9. The per user information field may be referred to as an “RU allocation field”.

Also, the trigger frame of FIG. 9 may include a padding field (970) and a frame check sequence field (980).

It is preferable that each of the per user information fields (960 #1 to 960 #N) shown in FIG. 9 includes a plurality of subfields.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a common information field. Among the subfields of FIG. 10, some may be omitted, and other additional subfields may also be added. Additionally, the length of each of the subfields shown in the drawing may be varied.

The trigger type field (1010) of FIG. 10 may indicate a trigger frame variant and encoding of the trigger frame variant. The trigger type field (1010) may be defined as follows.

TABLE 4 Trigger Type subfield value Trigger frame variant 0 Basic 1 Beamforming Report Poll (BFRP) 2 MU-BAR 3 MU-RTS 4 Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) 5 GCR MU-BAR 6 Bandwidth Query Report Poll (BQRP) 7 NDP Feedback Report Poll (NFRP) 8-15 Reserved

The UL BW field (1020) of FIG. 10 indicates bandwidth in the HE-SIG-A field of an HE Trigger Based (TB) PPDU. The UL BW field (1020) may be defined as follows.

TABLE 5 UL BW subfield value Description 0 20 MHz 1 40 MHz 2 80 MHz 3 80 + 80 MHz or 160 MHz

The Guard Interval (GI) and LTF type fields (1030) of FIG. 10 indicate the GI and HE-LTF type of the HE TB PPDU response. The GI and LTF type field (1030) may be defined as follows.

TABLE 6 GI And LTF field value Description 0 1× HE-LTF + 1 6 μs GI 1 2× HE-LTF + 1.6 μs GI 2 4× HE-LTF + 3 2 μs GI(#15968) 3 Reserved

Also, when the GI and LTF type fields (1030) have a value of 2 or 3, the MU-MIMO LTF mode field (1040) of FIG. 10 indicates the LTF mode of a UL MU-MIMO HE TB PPDU response. At this time, the MU-MIMO LTF mode field (1040) may be defined as follows.

If the trigger frame allocates an RU that occupies the whole HE TB PPDU bandwidth and the RU is allocated to one or more STAs, the MU-MIMO LTF mode field (1040) indicates one of an HE single stream pilot HE-LTF mode or an HE masked HE-LTF sequence mode.

If the trigger frame does not allocate an RU that occupies the whole HE TB PPDU bandwidth and the RU is not allocated to one or more STAs, the MU-MIMO LTF mode field (1040) indicates the HE single stream pilot HE-LTF mode. The MU-MIMO LTF mode field (1040) may be defined as follows.

TABLE 7 MU-MIMO LTF subfield value Description 0 HE single stream pilot HE-LTF mode 1 HE masked HE-LTF sequence mode

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a subfield being included in a per user information field. Among the subfields of FIG. 11, some may be omitted, and other additional subfields may also be added. Additionally, the length of each of the subfields shown in the drawing may be varied.

The User Identifier field of FIG. 11 (or AID12 field, 1110) indicates the identifier of an STA (namely, a receiving STA) corresponding to per user information, where an example of the identifier may be the whole or part of the AID.

Also, an RU Allocation field (1120) may be included. In other words, when a receiving STA identified by the User Identifier field (1110) transmits a UL PPDU in response to the trigger frame of FIG. 9, the corresponding UL PPDU is transmitted through an RU indicated by the RU Allocation field (1120). In this case, it is preferable that the RU indicated by the RU Allocation field (1120) indicates the RUs shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. A specific structure of the RU Allocation field (1120) will be described later.

The subfield of FIG. 11 may include a (UL FEC) coding type field (1130). The coding type field (1130) may indicate the coding type of an uplink PPDU transmitted in response to the trigger frame of FIG. 9. For example, when BCC coding is applied to the uplink PPDU, the coding type field (1130) may be set to ‘1’, and when LDPC coding is applied, the coding type field (1130) may be set to ‘0’.

Additionally, the subfield of FIG. 11 may include a UL MCS field (1140). The MCS field (1140) may indicate an MCS scheme being applied to the uplink PPDU that is transmitted in response to the trigger frame of FIG. 9.

Also, the subfield of FIG. 11 may include a Trigger Dependent User Info field (1150). When the Trigger Type field (1010) of FIG. 10 indicates a basic trigger variant, the Trigger Dependent User Info field (1150) may include an MPDU MU Spacing Factor subfield (2 bits), a TID Aggregate Limit subfield (3 bits), a Reserved field (1 bit), and a Preferred AC subfield (2 bits).

Hereinafter, the present disclosure proposes an example of improving a control field included in a PPDU. The control field improved according to the present disclosure includes a first control field including control information required to interpret the PPDU and a second control field including control information for demodulate the data field of the PPDU. The first and second control fields may be used for various fields. For example, the first control field may be the HE-SIG-A (730) of FIG. 7, and the second control field may be the HE-SIG-B (740) shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Hereinafter, a specific example of improving the first or the second control field will be described.

In the following example, a control identifier inserted to the first control field or a second control field is proposed. The size of the control identifier may vary, which, for example, may be implemented with 1-bit information.

The control identifier (for example, a 1-bit identifier) may indicate whether a 242-type RU is allocated when, for example, 20 MHz transmission is performed. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, RUs of various sizes may be used. These RUs may be divided broadly into two types. For example, all of the RUs shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 may be classified into 26-type RUs and 242-type RUs. For example, a 26-type RU may include a 26-RU, a 52-RU, and a 106-RU while a 242-type RU may include a 242-RU, a 484-RU, and a larger RU.

The control identifier (for example, a 1-bit identifier) may indicate that a 242-type RU has been used. In other words, the control identifier may indicate that a 242-RU, a 484-RU, or a 996-RU is included. If the transmission frequency band in which a PPDU is transmitted has a bandwidth of 20 MHz, a 242-RU is a single RU corresponding to the full bandwidth of the transmission frequency band (namely, 20 MHz). Accordingly, the control identifier (for example, 1-bit identifier) may indicate whether a single RU corresponding to the full bandwidth of the transmission frequency band is allocated.

For example, if the transmission frequency band has a bandwidth of 40 MHz, the control identifier (for example, a 1-bit identifier) may indicate whether a single RU corresponding to the full bandwidth (namely, bandwidth of 40 MHz) of the transmission frequency band has been allocated. In other words, the control identifier may indicate whether a 484-RU has been allocated for transmission in the frequency band with a bandwidth of 40 MHz.

For example, if the transmission frequency band has a bandwidth of 80 MHz, the control identifier (for example, a 1-bit identifier) may indicate whether a single RU corresponding to the full bandwidth (namely, bandwidth of 80 MHz) of the transmission frequency band has been allocated. In other words, the control identifier may indicate whether a 996-RU has been allocated for transmission in the frequency band with a bandwidth of 80 MHz.

Various technical effects may be achieved through the control identifier (for example, 1-bit identifier).

First of all, when a single RU corresponding to the full bandwidth of the transmission frequency band is allocated through the control identifier (for example, a 1-bit identifier), allocation information of the RU may be omitted. In other words, since only one RU rather than a plurality of RUs is allocated over the whole transmission frequency band, allocation information of the RU may be omitted deliberately.

Also, the control identifier may be used as signaling for full bandwidth MU-MIMO. For example, when a single RU is allocated over the full bandwidth of the transmission frequency band, multiple users may be allocated to the corresponding single RU. In other words, even though signals for each user are not distinctive in the temporal and spatial domains, other techniques (for example, spatial multiplexing) may be used to multiplex the signals for multiple users in the same, single RU. Accordingly, the control identifier (for example, a 1-bit identifier) may also be used to indicate whether to use the full bandwidth MU-MIMO described above.

The common field included in the second control field (HE-SIG-B, 740) may include an RU allocation subfield. According to the PPDU bandwidth, the common field may include a plurality of RU allocation subfields (including N RU allocation subfields). The format of the common field may be defined as follows.

TABLE 8 Number Subfield of bits Description RU Allocation N × 8 Indicates the RU assignment to be used in the data portion in the frequency domain. It also indicates the number of users in each RU. For RUs of size greater than or equal to 106-tones that support MU-MIMO, it indicates the number of users multiplexed using MU-MIMO. Consists of N RU Allocation subfields: N = 1 for a 20 MHz and a 40 MHz HE MU PPDU N = 2 for an 80 MHz HE MU PPDU N = 4 for a 160 MHz or 80 + 80 MHz HE MU PPDU Center 26-tone RU 1 This field is present only if (#15510) the value of the Band- width field of HE-SIG-A field in an HE MU PPDU is set to greater than 1. If the Bandwidth field of the HE-SIG-A field in an HE MU PPDU is set to 2, 4 or 5 for 80 MHz: Set to 1 to indicate that a user is allocated to the center 26- tone RU (see FIG. 28-7 (RU locations in an 80 MHz HE PPDU(#16528))); otherwise, set to 0. The same value is applied to both HE-SIG-B content channels. If the Bandwidth field of the HE-SIG-A field in an HE MU PPDU is set to 3,6 or 7 for 160 MHz or 80 + 80 MHz: For HE-SIG-B content channel 1, set to 1 to indicate that a user is allocated to the center 26-tone RU of the lower fre- quency 80 MHz; otherwise, set to 0. For HE-SIG-B content channel 2, set to 1 to indicate that a user is allocated to the center 26-tone RU of the higher fre- quency 80 MHz; otherwise, set to 0. CRC 4 See 28.3.10.7.3 (CRC computation) Tail 6 Used to terminate the trellis of the convolutional decoder. Set to 0

The RU allocation subfield included in the common field of the HE-SIG-B may be configured with 8 bits and may indicate as follows with respect to 20 MHz PPDU bandwidth. RUs to be used as a data portion in the frequency domain are allocated using an index for RU size and disposition in the frequency domain. The mapping between an 8-bit RU allocation subfield for RU allocation and the number of users per RU may be defined as follows.

TABLE 9 8 hits indices Number (B7 B6 B5 B4 of B3 B2 B1 B0) #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 entries 00000000 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 1 00000001 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 52 1 00000010 26 26 26 26 26 52 26 26 1 00000011 26 26 26 26 26 52 52 1 00000100 26 26 52 26 26 26 26 26 1 00000101 26 26 52 26 26 26 52 1 00000110 26 26 52 26 52 26 26 1 00000111 26 26 52 26 52 52 1 00001000 52 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 1 00001001 52 26 26 26 26 26 52 1 00001010 52 26 26 26 52 26 26 1 00001011 52 26 26 26 52 52 1 00001100 52 52 26 26 26 26 26 1 00001101 52 52 26 26 26 52 1 00001110 52 52 26 52 26 26 1 00001111 52 52 26 52 52 1 00010y₂y₁y₀ 52 52 — 106 8 00011y₂y₁y₀ 106 — 52 52 8 00100y₂y₁y₀ 26 26 26 26 26 106 8 00101y₂y₁y₀ 26 26 52 26 106 8 00110y₂y₁y₀ 52 26 26 26 106 8 00111y₂y₁y₀ 52 52 26 106 8 01000y₂y₁y₀ 106 26 26 26 26 26 8 01001y₂y₁y₀ 106 26 26 26 52 8 01010y₂y₁y₀ 106 26 52 26 26 8 01011y₂y₁y₀ 106 26 52 52 8 0110y₁y₀z₁z₀ 106 — 106 16 01110000 52 52 — 52 52 1 01110001 242-tone RU empty 1 01110010 484-tone RU with zero User fields 1 indicated in this RU Allocation subfield of the HE-SIG-B content channel 01110011 996-tone RU with zero User fields 1 indicated in this RU Allocation subfield of the HE-SIG-B content channel 011101x₁x₀ Reserved 4 01111y₂y₁y₀ Reserved 8 10y₂y₁y₀z₂z₁z₀ 106 26 106 64 11000y₂y₁y₀ 242 8 11001y₂y₁y₀ 484 8 11010y₂y₁y₀ 996 8 11011y₂y₁y₀ Reserved 8 111x₄x₃x₂x₁x₀ Reserved 32 If(#Ed) signaling RUs of size greater than 242 subcarriers, y₂y₁y₀ = 000-111 indicates number of User fields in the HE-SIG-B content channel that contains the corresponding 8-bit RU Allocation subfield. Otherwise, y₂y₁y₀ = 000-111 indicates number of STAs multiplexed in the 106-tone RU, 242-tone RU or the lower frequency 106-tone RU if there are two 106-tone RUs and one 26-tone RU is assigned between two 106-tone RUs. The binary vector y₂y₁y₀ indicates 2² × y₂ + 2¹ × y₁ + y₀ + 1 STAs multiplexed the RU. z₂z₁z₀ = 000-111 indicates number of STAs multiplexed in the higher frequency 106-tone RU if there are two 106-tone RUs and one 26-tone RU is assigned between two 106-tone RUs. The binary vector z₂z₁z₀ indicates 2² × z₂ + 2¹ × z₁ + z₀ + 1 STAs multiplexed in the RU. Similarly, y₁y₀ = 00-11 indicates number of STAs multiplexed in the lower frequency 106-tone RU. The binary vector y₁y₀ indicates 2¹ × y₁ + y₀ + 1 STAs multiplexed in the RU. Similarly, z₁z₀ = 00-11 indicates the number of STAs multiplexed in the higher frequency 106-tone RU. The binary vector z₁z₀ indicates 2¹ × z₁ + z₀ + 1 STAs multiplexed in the RU. #1 to #9 (from left to the right) is ordered in increasing order of the absolute frequency. x₁x₀ = 00-11, x₄x₃x₂x₁x₀ = 00000-11111. ‘—’ means no STA in that RU.

The user-specific field included in the second control field (HE-SIG-B, 740) may include a user field, a CRC field, and a Tail field. The format of the user-specific field may be defined as follows.

TABLE 10 Num ber Sub- of field bits Description User N × The User field format for a non-MU-MIMO allocation is field 21 defined in Table 28-26 (User field format for a non-MU- MIMO allocation). The User field format for a MU-MIMO allocation is defined in Table 28-27 (User field for all MU- MIMO allocation). N = 1 if it is the last User Block field, and if there is only one user in the last User Block field. N = 2 otherwise. CRC 4 The CRC is calculated over bits 0 to 20 for a User Block field that contains one User field, and bits 0 to 41 for a User Block field that contains two User fields. See 28.3.10.7.3 (CRC computation). Tail 6 Used to terminate the trellis of the convolutional decoder. Set to 0.

Also, the user-specific field of the HE-SIG-B is composed of a plurality of user fields. The plurality of user fields are located after the common field of the HE-SIG-B. The location of the RU allocation subfield of the common field and that of the user field of the user-specific field are used together to identify an RU used for transmitting data of an STA. A plurality of RUs designated as a single STA are now allowed in the user-specific field. Therefore, signaling that allows an STA to decode its own data is transmitted only in one user field.

As an example, it may be assumed that the RU allocation subfield is configured with 8 bits of 01000010 to indicate that five 26-tone RUs are arranged next to one 106-tone RU and three user fields are included in the 106-tone RU. At this time, the 106-tone RU may support multiplexing of the three users. This example may indicate that eight user fields included in the user-specific field are mapped to six RUs, the first three user fields are allocated according to the MU-MIMO scheme in the first 106-tone RU, and the remaining five user fields are allocated to each of the five 26-tone RUs.

User fields included in the user-specific field of the HE-SIG-B may be defined as described below. Firstly, user fields for non-MU-MIMO allocation are as described below.

TABLE 12 Number Bit Subfield of bits Description B0-B10 STA-ID 11 Set to a value of the element indicated from TXVEC- TOR parameter STA_ID_LIST (see 27.11.1 (STA_ID_LIST)). B11-B13 NSTS 3 Number of space-time streams. Set to the number of space-time streams minus 1. B14 Beam- 1 Use of transmit beamforming. formed Set to 1 if a beamforming steering matrix is applied to (#16038) the waveform in an SU transmission. Set to 0 otherwise. B15-B18 MCS 4 Modulation and coding scheme Set to n for MCSn, where n = 0, 1 ,2 . . . , 11 Values 12 to 15 are reserved B19 DCM 1 Indicates whether or not DCM is used. Set to 1 to indicate that the payload(#Ed) of the cor- responding user of the HE MU PPDU is modulated with DCM for the MCS. Set to 0 to indicate that the payload of the corre- sponding user of the PPDU is not modulated with DCM for the MCS. NOTE-DCM is not applied in combination with STBC.(#15664) B20 Coding 1 Indicates whether BCC or LDPC is used. Set to 0 for BCC Set to 1 for LDPC NOTE If the STA-ID subfield is set to 2046, then the other subfields can be set to arbitrary values.(#15946)

User fields for MU-MIMO allocation are as described below.

TABLE 13 Number Bit Subfield of bits Description B0-B10 STA-ID 11 Set to a value of element indicated from TXVECTOR parameter STA_ID_LIST (see 27.11.1 (STA_ID_LIST)). B11-B14 Spatial Con- 4 Indicates the number of spatial streams for a STA in an figuration MU-MIMO allocation (see Table 28-28 (Spatial Con- figuration subfield encoding)). B15-B18 MCS 4 Modulation and coding scheme. Set to n for MCSn, where n = 0, 1, 2, . . . , 11 Values 12 to 15 are reserved B19 Reserved 1 Reserved and set to 0 B20 Coding 1 Indicates whether BCC or LDPC is used. Set to 0 for BCC Set to 1 for LDPC NOTE If the STA-ID subfield is set to 2046, then the other subfields can be set to arbitrary values. (#15946)

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of an HE TB PPDU. The PPDU of FIG. 12 illustrates an uplink PPDU transmitted in response to the trigger frame of FIG. 9. At least one STA receiving a trigger frame from an AP may check the common information field and the individual user information field of the trigger frame and may transmit a HE TB PPDU simultaneously with another STA which has received the trigger frame.

As shown in the figure, the PPDU of FIG. 12 includes various fields, each of which corresponds to the field shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7. Meanwhile, as shown in the figure, the HE TB PPDU (or uplink PPDU) of FIG. 12 may not include the HE-SIG-B field but only the HE-SIG-A field.

1. CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance)

In IEEE 802.11, communication is achieved in a shared wireless medium, and thus has a characteristic fundamentally different from a wired channel environment. For example, communication is possible based on carrier sense multiple access/collision detection (CSMA/CD) in the wired channel environment For example, when a signal is transmitted one time in Tx, the signal is transmitted to Rx without significant signal attenuation since a channel environment does not change much. In this case, when a collision occurs in two or more signals, it is detectable. This is because power detected in Rx is instantaneously greater than power transmitted in Tx. However, in a wireless channel environment, a channel is affected by various factors (e.g., a signal may be significantly attenuated according to a distance or may instantaneously experience deep fading), carrier sensing cannot be achieved correctly in Tx as to whether a signal is properly transmitted in Rx in practice or whether a collision exists. Therefore, a distributed coordination function (DCF) which is a carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) mechanism is introduced in 802.11. Herein, stations (STAs) having data to be transmitted perform clear channel assessment (CCA) for sensing a medium during a specific duration (e.g., DIFS: DCF inter-frame space) before transmitting the data. In this case, if the medium is idle, the STA can transmit the data by using the medium. On the other hand, if the medium is busy, under the assumption that several STAs have already waited for the use of the medium, the data can be transmitted after waiting by a random backoff period in addition to the DIFS. In this case, the random backoff period can allow the collision to be avoidable because, under the assumption that there are several STAs for transmitting data, each STA has a different backoff interval probabilistically and thus eventually has a different transmission time. When one STA starts transmission, the other STAs cannot use the medium.

The random backoff time and the procedure will be simply described as follows. When a specific medium transitions from busy to idle, several STAs start a preparation for data transmission. In this case, to minimize a collision, the STAs intending to transmit the data select respective random backoff counts and wait by those slot times. The random backoff count is a pseudo-random integer value, and one of uniform distribution values is selected in the range of [0 CW]. Herein, CW denotes a contention window. A CW parameter takes a CWmin value as an initial value, and when transmission fails, the value is doubled. For example, if an ACK response is not received in response to a transmitted data frame, it may be regarded that a collision occurs. If the CW value has a CWmax value, the CWmax value is maintained until data transmission is successful, and when the data transmission is successful, is reset to the CWmin value. In this case, the values CW, CWmin, and CWmax are preferably maintained to 2^(n)−1 for convenience of implementations and operations. Meanwhile, if the random backoff procedure starts, the STA selects the random backoff count in the [0 CW] range and thereafter continuously monitors a medium while counting down a backoff slot. In the meantime, if the medium enters a busy state, the countdown is stopped, and when the medium returns to an idle state, the countdown of the remaining backoff slots is resumed.

2. PHY Procedure

A PHY transmit/receive procedure in Wi-Fi is as follows, but a specific packet configuration method may differ. For convenience, only 11n and 11ax will be taken for example, but 11g/ac also conforms to a similar procedure.

That is, in the PHY transmit procedure, a MAC protocol data unit (MPDU) or an aggregate MPDU (A-MPDU) transmitted from a MAC end is converted into a single PHY service data unit (PSDU) in a PHY end, and is transmitted by inserting a preamble, tail bits, and padding bits (optional), and this is called a PPDU.

The PHY receive procedure is usually as follows. When performing energy detection and preamble detection (L/HT/VHT/HE-preamble detection for each WiFi version), information on a PSDU configuration is obtained from a PHY header (L/HT/VHT/HE-SIG) to read a MAC header, and then data is read.

3. Multi-Band (or Multi-Link) Aggregation

In order to increase a peak throughput, transmission of an increased stream is considered in a WLAN 802.11 system by using a wider band or more antennas compared to the legacy 11a. In addition, a method of using various bands by aggregating the bands is also considered.

The present specification proposes a scheme of transmitting HE STAs and data of the HE STAs simultaneously by using the same MU PPDU in a situation of considering a wide bandwidth, a multi-band (or multi-link) aggregation, or the like.

FIG. 13 shows multiple channels allocated in a 5 GHz band.

Hereinafter, a “band” may include, for example, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands. For example, the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band are supported in the 11n standard, and up to the 6 GHz band is supported in the 11ax standard. For example, in the 5 GHz band, multiple channels may be defined as shown in FIG. 13.

The WLAN system to which technical features of the present specification are applied may support a multi-band. That is, a transmitting STA can transmit a PPDU through any channel (e.g., 20/40/80/80+80/160/240/320 MHz, etc.) on a second band (e.g., 6 GHz) while transmitting the PPDU through any channel (e.g., 20/40/80/80+80/160 MHz, etc.) on a first band (e.g., 5 GHz) (In the present specification, a 240 MHz channel may be a continuous 240 MHz channel or a combination of discontinuous 80/160 MHz channels. Further, a 320 MHz channel may be a continuous 320 MHz channel or a combination of discontinuous 80/160 MHz channels. For example, in the present document, the 20 MHz channel may be a continuous 240 MHz channel, an 80+80+80 MHz channel, or an 80+160 MHz channel).

In addition, the multi-band described in the present document can be interpreted in various meanings. For example, the transmitting STA may set any one of 20/40/80/80+80/160/240/320 MHz channels on the 6 GHz band to the first band, set any one of other 20/40/80/80+80/160/240/320 MHz channels on the 6 GHz band to the second band, and may perform multi-band transmission (i.e., transmission simultaneously supporting the first band and the second band). For example, the transmitting STA may transmit the PPDU simultaneously through the first band and the second band, and may transmit it through only any one of the bands at a specific timing.

At least any one of primary 20 MHz and secondary 20/40/80/160 MHz channels described below may be transmitted in the first band, and the remaining channels may be transmitted in the second band. Alternatively, all channels may be transmitted in the same one band.

In the present specification, the term “band” may be replaced with “link”.

Next, a control signaling method for multi-band aggregation will be described. Since the control signaling method may employ a fast session transfer (FST) setup method, an FST setup protocol will be described below.

The FST setup protocol consists of four states and a rule for a method of transitioning from one state to a next state. The four states are Initial, Setup Completed, Transition Done, and Transition Confirmed. In the Initial state, an FST session operates in one or two bands/channels. In the Setup Complete state, an initiator and a responder are ready to change band/channel(s) currently operating. The FST session may be transferred entirely or partially to another band/channel. The Transition Done state allows the initiator and responder to operate in different bands/channels when a value of link loss timeout (LLT) is 0. Both the initiator and the responder shall communicate successfully in a new band/channel to reach the Transition Confirmed state. A state transition diagram of the FST setup protocol is shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 shows four states of the FST setup protocol.

FIG. 15 shows a procedure of the FST setup protocol.

FIG. 15 shows a procedure of the FST setup protocol for driving a state machine shown in FIG. 14. The procedure of FIG. 15 is an example of a basic procedure, and does not cover all possible usages of the protocol. In FIG. 15, a MAC layer management entity (MLME) 1 and an MLME 2 represent any two MLMEs of a device in which a multi-band is possible according to a reference model described in a reference model for a multi-band operation. As will be described later, FST Setup Request and FST Setup Response frames are exchanged optionally in a repeated manner until an FST initiator and an FST responder move successfully in a Setup Completed state. An operation of the procedure of the FST setup protocol is exemplified in FIG. 15.

In order to establish an FST session in an Initial state and to transfer it in the Setup Completed state of the FST setup protocol, the initiator and the responder shall exchange FST Setup Request and FST Setup Response frames. The FST session exists in the Setup Completed state, a Transition Done state, or a Transition Confirmed state. In the Initial state and the Setup Completed state, an old band/channel represents a frequency band/channel on which the FST session is transferred, and a new band/channel represents a frequency band/channel on which the FST session is transferred. In the Transition Done state, the new band/channel represents a frequency band/channel on which FST Ack Request and FST Ack Response frames are transmitted, and the old band/channel represents a frequency band/channel on which the FST session is transferred.

If the responder accepts the FST Setup Request, a Status Code field is set to SUCCESS, and a Status Code is set to REJECTED WITH SUGGESTED CHANGES.

Thus, one or more parameters of the FST Setup Request frame are invalid, and a replacement parameter shall be proposed. In addition, the responder sets the Status Code field to PENDING_ADMITTING_FST_SESSION or PENDING_GAP_IN_BA_WINDOW to indicate that the FST Setup Request is pending, and sets the Status Code field to REQUEST_DECLINED to reject the FST Setup Request frame.

A responder which is an enabling STA sets a Status Code to REJECT_DSE_BAND and thus is initiated by a dependent STA which requests to switch to a frequency band subject to a DSE procedure. Therefore, it is indicated that the FST Setup Request frame is rejected. In this case, if a responder is an enabling STA for the dependent STA, the responder may indicate a duration in a TU before an FST setup starts with respect to the dependent STA by including a Timeout Interval element in the FST Setup Response frame. A Timeout Interval Type field in the Timeout Interval element shall be set to 4. The responder may use a parameter in the FST Setup Request frame received from the dependent STA to initiate the FST setup with respect to the initiator.

A responder which is a dependent STA and which is not enabled shall reject all FST Setup Request frames received for switching to a frequency band subject to the DSE procedure, except for a case where a transmitter of the FST setup Request frame is an enabling STA of the dependent STA.

4. Embodiment Applicable to the Present Disclosure

FIG. 16 shows an example of multi-band aggregation using a 2.4 GHz band and a 5 GHz band.

Referring to FIG. 16, an AP and an STA may transmit/receive data by aggregating 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Regarding the multi-band aggregation, the aggregation may be achieved in not only the 2.4/5 GHz band but also any band in the range of 1 to 7.125 GHz, and the aggregation may also be achieved in the same band (e.g., 5 GHz) by using several RFs. Therefore, by using multi-band aggregation or several RFs in the same band, there is an opportunity to use not only a bandwidth used in the legacy 802.11 but also a bandwidth of at least 160 MHz (e.g., 320 MHz).

In order to perform contention in the structure of FIG. 16 in the conventional manner, backoff is performed on one 20 MHz primary channel (primary 20 or P20) determined irrespective of a multi-band, and a transmission bandwidth is determined by determining whether a secondary channel is idle/busy during PIFS (or DIFS) before a moment (backoff count=0) at which transmission is possible in the P20.

However, since a relatively wide bandwidth greater than or equal to 160 MHz can be used, there may be a secondary channel having a wide bandwidth such as a 160 MHz secondary channel (Secondary 160), a 320 MHz secondary channel (Secondary 320), or the like. In particular, in a congested environment, there is a high possibility that the secondary channel is busy, and thus a usability is significantly low. In addition, if CCA is performed on the secondary channel according to the existing CCA rule (Primary 20->Secondary 20->Secondary 40 . . . ), the existing rule cannot be used in a band aggregation combination (e.g., 120 MHz (40+80), 240 MHz (80+160), etc.), rather than a size in unit of 20/40/80/160/320 MHz.

Accordingly, in order to solve the aforementioned problems, the present specification proposes a method of performing contention by providing a primary channel for each band (or RF).

5. Proposed Embodiment

FIG. 17 shows an example in which a primary channel exists in each band (or RF) when performing multi-band aggregation.

When 160 MHz of a 5 GHz band and 160 MHz of a 6 GHz band are aggregated as shown in FIG. 17, P20 exists in each band. The P20 may exist irrespective of a bandwidth size (but, it is greater than or equal to 20 MHz) applied in each band (RF).

Basically, in a Wi-Fi system, data transmission starts when a backoff count (BC) value is 0 after contention is performed on each access category (AC). However, when there are many primary channels, that is, when a primary channel exists in each band (or RF), a new data transmission method is required according to a BC application method.

5.1 Transmission Method in the Presence of Backoff Count for Each Primary Channel

When BC exists for each primary channel, at least one P20 (primary 20 MHz) in a certain slot boundary may have a BC value of 0 (in a transmission-enabled state). In this case, a method of adjusting a BC value of the P20 and transmitting data is as follows, according to a channel state during a specific period (e.g., PIFS, AIFS, one slot) or the P20 in which a BC value is not 0.

A. When channel state of P20 in which BC value is not 0 is idle

A1. Data is transmitted by setting BC value to 0

A2. Data is transmitted by maintaining BC value

-   -   In case of the method A1/A2, even a channel in which BC is not         yet 0 is used in data transmission, so that more data is         transmitted rapidly to increase efficiency of band aggregation,         whereas a collision probability may increase. In particular,         since the method A1 is a method which ignores the existing BC,         the collision probability may further increase.

A3. BC value is decreased, and data is not transmitted

-   -   Since a probability that BC of each band is 0 at the same time         is low, a band aggregation efficiency may be significantly         decreased if data is not transmitted.

B. When channel state of P20 in which BC value is not 0 is busy

B1. Only BC value is maintained

B2. The BC value is maintained, puncturing is performed on P20, and data is transmitted on a secondary channel which is idle during a specific period (e.g., PIFS, AIFS, one slot).

-   -   Although more data can be transmitted by additionally using the         secondary channel irrespective of a channel state of a primary         channel, a new rule of puncturing the primary channel shall be         added.

Based on the aforementioned method, for the idle case and the busy case, 6 combinations may be used in total to adjust BC and transmit data (i.e. A1+B1, A1+B2, A2+B1, A2+B2, A3+B1, A3+B2).

Basically, in case of the methods A1 and A2, that is, at the moment at which data can be transmitted, whether data transmission is possible is determined by sensing the secondary channel during the PIFS (or DIFS) period in the conventional manner (e.g., 160 MHz (no preamble puncturing): S20->S40->S80). However, a time interval for viewing a state of the secondary channel may be different for each band (or RF). In addition, a preamble puncturing method for 80 MHz/160 MHz of 11ax may also be used.

FIG. 18 shows a BC adjusting method according to the method A1.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B1.

FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 show an example for the method A1+B1 when 3 bands, i.e., 40 MHz of a 2.4 GHz band, 160 MHz of a 5 GHz band, and 80 MHz of a 6 GHz band, are aggregated. First, as shown in FIG. 18, if a channel state of P20 of the 6 GHz band is determined as idle and thus B=0, since 5 GHz P20 is idle during a PIFS period, BC is set from 4 to 0, and the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands are in a transmission-enabled state. Since 2.4 GHz P20 is busy during the PIFS period, BC remains intact. Therefore, FIG. 19 shows an example of sensing a secondary channel during a PIFS period in 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands. In case of 5 GHz, up to S40 is idle and thus a total bandwidth of 80 MHz can be utilized, and in case of 6 GHz, up to S40 is idle and thus a total bandwidth of 80 MHz can be utilized. Therefore, an STA transmits data by utilizing 160 MHz through multi-band aggregation, and receives (Block) ACK in an allocated band (160 MHz).

FIG. 20 shows an example of a BC adjusting method according to the method A1, in the presence of 2 RFs.

FIG. 21 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B1, in the presence of 2 RFs.

FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 show an example for the method A1+B1 when 2 RFs (80+80) of a 5 GHz band are aggregated. First, as shown in FIG. 20, if a channel state of P20 of a 5 GHz RF 2 is determined as idle and thus B=0, since P20 of a 5 GHz RF 1 is idle during a PIFS period, BC is set from 3 to 0, and the RF 1 and the RF 2 are in a transmission-enabled state. Therefore, FIG. 21 shows an example of sensing a secondary channel during a PIFS period in each RF. In case of the 5 GHz RF 1, up to S20 is idle and thus a total bandwidth of 40 MHz can be utilized, and in case of the 5 GHz RF 2, up to S40 is idle and thus a total bandwidth of up to 80 MHz can be utilized. Therefore, an STA transmits data by utilizing 120 MHz through multi-band aggregation, and receives (Block) ACK in an allocated band (120 MHz).

FIG. 22 shows an example of a BC adjusting method according to the method A1, in case of a multi-band in the presence of 2 RFs.

FIG. 23 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B1, in case of a multi-band in the presence of 2 RFs.

FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 show an example for the method A1+B1 when 2 RFs (80+80) of a 5 GHz band are aggregated. First, as shown in FIG. 22, if a channel state of P20 of a 5 GHz RF 2 is determined as idle and thus B=0, since P20 of a 5 GHz RF 1 is idle during a PIFS period, BC is set from 3 to 0, and since P20 of 6 GHz is also idle during the PIFS period, BC is set from 5 to 0. Herein, the RF 1 and RF 2 of 5 GHz and the 6 GHz band are in a transmission-enabled state. Therefore, FIG. 23 shows an example of sensing a secondary channel during a PIFS period in 6 GHz and each RF of 5 GHz. In case of the 5 GHz RF 1, up to S20 is idle and thus a total bandwidth of 40 MHz can be utilized. In case of the 5 GHz RF 2, up to S40 is idle and thus a total bandwidth of up to 80 MHz can be utilized. In case of 6 GHz, up to S40 is idle and thus a total bandwidth of 80 MHz can be utilized. Therefore, an STA transmits data by utilizing 200 MHz through multi-band aggregation, and receives (Block) ACK in an allocated band (200 MHz).

FIG. 24 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B1, including 80 MHz preamble puncturing.

FIG. 24 shows an example for the method A1+B1, including 80 MHz preamble puncturing when 3 bands, i.e., 40 MHz of a 2.4 GHz band, 160 MHz of a 5 GHz band, and 80 MHz of a 6 GHz band, are aggregated based on the result of FIG. 18. Therefore, since 2.4 GHz P20 is busy during a PIFS period, BC remains intact. In case of 5 GHz, up to S40 is idle during the PIFS period and thus a total bandwidth of 80 MHz can be utilized. In case of 6 GHz, up to S20 is busy but the S40 in the idle state can be used through preamble puncturing and thus a total bandwidth of 60 MHz can be utilized. Therefore, an STA transmits data by utilizing 140 MHz through multi-band aggregation, and receives (Block) ACK in an allocated band (140 MHz).

FIG. 25 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B1, including 160 MHz preamble puncturing.

FIG. 25 shows an example for the method A1+B1, including 160 MHz preamble puncturing when 3 bands, i.e., 40 MHz of a 2.4 GHz band, 160 MHz of a 5 GHz band, and 80 MHz of a 6 GHz band, are aggregated based on the result of FIG. 18. Therefore, since 2.4 GHz P20 is busy during a PIFS period, BC remains intact. In case of 5 GHz, S40 is busy during the PIFS period but S20 and S80 are idle, and thus a total bandwidth of 120 MHz can be utilized through preamble puncturing. In case of 6 GHz, up to S40 is idle during the PIFS period and thus a total bandwidth of 80 MHz can be utilized. Therefore, an STA transmits data by utilizing 200 MHz through multi-band aggregation, and receives (Block) ACK in an allocated band (200 MHz).

FIG. 26 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B2.

FIG. 26 shows an example for the method A1+B1 when 3 bands, i.e., 40 MHz of a 2.4 GHz band, 160 MHz of a 5 GHz band, and 80 MHz of a 6 GHz band, are aggregated. This example is based on the result of FIG. 18. Therefore, P20 of 2.4 GHz is currently in a busy state during a PIFS period, and P20 of 2.4 GHz is punctured according to the method B2, thereby sensing a secondary channel. Since S20 is idle, the secondary channel can be used in data transmission. As a result, a bandwidth of 20 MHz at 2.4 GHz, a bandwidth of 80 MHz at 5 GHz, and a bandwidth of 80 MHz at 6 GHz can be utilized. Therefore, an STA transmits data by utilizing 180 MHz through multi-band aggregation, and receives (Block) ACK in an allocated band (180 MHz).

FIG. 27 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method A1+B2, including 160 MHz preamble puncturing.

FIG. 27 shows an example for the method A1+B1, including 160 MHz preamble puncturing, when 3 bands, i.e., 80 MHz of a 2.4 GHz band, 160 MHz of a 5 GHz band, and 80 MHz of a 6 GHz band, are aggregated. This example is based on the result of FIG. 3. Therefore, P20 of 2.4 GHz is currently in a busy state during a PIFS period, and P20 of 2.4 GHz is punctured according to the method B2, thereby sensing a secondary channel. Since S20 is idle, the secondary channel can be used in data transmission. At 5 GHz, 20 MHz bands of S40 are respectively busy and idle during the PIFS period, and thus the 20 MHz band in the idle state can be used through preamble puncturing. As a result, a bandwidth of 20 MHz at 2.4 GHz, a bandwidth of 140 MHz at 5 GHz, and a bandwidth of 80 MHz at 6 GHz can be utilized. Therefore, an STA transmits data by utilizing 240 MHz through multi-band aggregation, and receives (Block) ACK in an allocated band (240 MHz).

5.2. When Only One Backoff Count Exists for Multiple Primary Channels

Regardless of the presence of multiple primary channels, if only one BC is maintained in common, data may be transmitted when a BC value is 0. In this case, a data transmission method of each P20 is as follows, according to a channel state during a specific period (e.g., PIFS, AIFS, one slot) of each P20.

C. Data is transmitted only on P20 in which channel state is idle

-   -   Since transmission is performed only for an idle case, a         collision probability is low, but a bandwidth of a band in which         P20 is busy cannot be utilized.

D. Puncturing is performed on P20 in which a channel state is busy, and data is transmitted on a secondary channel which is idle during a specific period (e.g., PIFS, AIFS, one slot).

-   -   Although more data can be transmitted by additionally using the         secondary channel regardless of a primary channel, a new rule of         puncturing the primary channel shall be added.

Basically, in case of the method C, that is, at the moment at which data can be transmitted, whether data transmission is possible is determined by sensing the secondary channel during the PIFS (or DIFS) period in the conventional manner (e.g., 160 MHz (no preamble puncturing): S20->S40->S80). However, a time interval for viewing a state of the secondary channel may be different for each band (or RF). In addition, a preamble puncturing method for 80 MHz/160 MHz of 11ax may also be used.

FIG. 28 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method C.

FIG. 28 shows an example for the transmission method C, at the moment of BC=0, when 3 bands, i.e., 40 MHz of a 2.4 GHz band, 80 MHz of a 5 GHz band, and 80 MHz of a 6 GHz band, are aggregated. Referring to FIG. 28, when BC=0, during a PIFS period, P20 of 2.4 GHz is busy, P20 of 5 GHz is idle, and P20 of 6 GHz is idle, and it shows an example in which a secondary channel is sensed in the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands by using the PIFS according to the transmission method C. In case of 5 GHz, up to S40 is idle and thus a total bandwidth of 80 MHz can be utilized, and in case of 6 GHz, up to S20 is idle and thus a total bandwidth of 40 MHz can be utilized. Therefore, an STA transmits data by utilizing 120 MHz through multi-band aggregation, and receives (Block) ACK in an allocated band (120 MHz).

FIG. 29 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method C in the presence of 2 RFs.

FIG. 29 shows an example for the transmission method C, at the moment of BC=0, when 2 RFs of a 5 GHz band are aggregated. Referring to FIG. 29, when BC=0, during a PIFS period, P20 of each RF is idle, and it shows an example in which a secondary channel is sensed in each RF by using the PIFS according to the transmission method C. In case of the 5 GHz RF 1, up to S20 is idle and thus a total bandwidth of 40 MHz can be utilized, and in case of the 5 GHz RF 2, up to S20 is idle and thus a total bandwidth of up to 40 MHz can be utilized. Therefore, an STA transmits data by utilizing 80 MHz through multi-band aggregation, and receives (Block) ACK in an allocated band (80 MHz).

FIG. 30 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method C, including 80 MHz preamble puncturing.

FIG. 30 shows an example for the transmission method C, including 80 MHz preamble puncturing, at the moment of BC=0, when 3 bands, i.e., 40 MHz of a 2.4 GHz band, 80 MHz of a 5 GHz band, and 80 MHz of a 6 GHz band, are aggregated. Referring to FIG. 30, when BC=0, during a PIFS period, P20 of 2.4 GHz is busy, P20 of 5 GHz is idle, and P20 of 6 GHz is idle, and it shows an example in which a secondary is sensed by using PIFS in the 5 GHz and 6 GHz banes according to the transmission method C. In case of 5 GHz, S20 is busy but the S40 in the idle state can be used through preamble puncturing, and thus a total bandwidth of 60 MHz can be utilized. In case of 6 GHz, up to S20 is idle and thus a total bandwidth of 40 MHz can be utilized. Therefore, an STA transmits data by utilizing 100 MHz through multi-band aggregation, and receives (Block) ACK in an allocated band (100 MHz).

FIG. 31 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method D.

FIG. 31 shows an example for the transmission method D, at the moment of BC=0, when 3 bands, i.e., 40 MHz of a 2.4 GHz band, 80 MHz of a 5 GHz band, and 80 MHz of a 6 GHz band, are aggregated. Referring to FIG. 31, when BC=0, during a PIFS period, P20 of 2.4 GHz is busy, P20 of 5 GHz is idle, and P20 of 6 GHz is idle. P20 of 2.4 GHz is punctured according to the method D, thereby sensing a secondary channel. Since S20 is idle during the PIFS, the secondary channel can be used in data transmission. As a result, a bandwidth of 20 MHz at 2.4 GHz, a bandwidth of 80 MHz at 5 GHz, and a bandwidth of 40 MHz at 6 GHz can be utilized. Therefore, an STA transmits data by utilizing 140 MHz through multi-band aggregation, and receives (Block) ACK in an allocated band (140 MHz).

FIG. 32 shows an example of a method of transmitting data according to the method D, including 80 MHz preamble puncturing.

FIG. 32 shows an example for the transmission method D, including 80 MHz preamble puncturing, at the moment of BC=0, when 3 bands, i.e., 40 MHz of a 2.4 GHz band, 80 MHz of a 5 GHz band, and 80 MHz of a 6 GHz band, are aggregated. Referring to FIG. 32, when BC=0, during a PIFS period, P20 of 2.4 GHz is busy, P20 of 5 GHz is idle, and P20 of 6 GHz is idle. P20 of 2.4 GHz is punctured according to the method D, thereby sensing a secondary channel. Since S20 is idle during the PIFS, the secondary channel can be used in data transmission. In case of 5 GHz, S20 is busy, but the S40 in the idle state can be used through preamble puncturing. As a result, a bandwidth of 20 MHz at 2.4 GHz, a bandwidth of 60 MHz at 5 GHz, and a bandwidth of 40 MHz at 6 GHz can be utilized. Therefore, an STA transmits data by utilizing 120 MHz through multi-band aggregation, and receives (Block) ACK in an allocated band (120 MHz).

Hereinafter, the aforementioned embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. 32.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of transmitting data in a transmitting device according to the present embodiment.

An example of FIG. 33 may be performed in a network environment in which a next-generation WLAN system is supported. The next-generation WLAN system is a WLAN system evolved from an 802.11ax system, and may satisfy backward compatibility with the 802.11ax system.

The example of FIG. 33 may be performed in the transmitting device, and the transmitting device may correspond to an STA supporting an extremely high throughput (EHT) WLAN system. The receiving device of FIG. 33 may correspond to an AP.

In step S3310, the transmitting device receives setup information on a multi-band in which first to third bands are aggregated.

In step S3320, the transmitting device performs channel sensing on the first band to the third band.

In step S3330, the transmitting device transmits the data to the receiving device, based on a result of the channel sensing.

The first band includes a first primary channel and a first secondary channel, the second band includes a second primary channel and a second secondary channel, and the third band includes a third primary channel and a third secondary channel.

The first band may be a 2.4 GHz band, the second band may be a 5 GHz band, and the third band may be a 6 GHz band.

Although a case where a multi-band is combination of three bands, i.e., a triple band, is described in the present embodiment, the aforementioned band configuration is only one example, and the WLAN system may support a variety of number of bands and channels. That is, the present embodiment may also include a case where the multi-band is combination of two bands and a case where one band is divided into RFs to combine bands supported by respective RFs.

If the first primary channel is busy and a first backoff count (BC) value is not 0, the first BC value is maintained.

If the second primary channel is idle and a second BC value is not 0, the second BC value is set to 0, and the channel sensing is performed on the second secondary channel.

If the third primary channel is idle and a third BC value is 0, the channel sensing is performed on the third secondary channel.

For example, if the secondary channel is idle and the third secondary channel is idle, the data may be transmitted through the second and third primary channels and the second and third secondary channels. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels in the first to third bands.

As another example, the third secondary channel may include a first channel and a second channel. In this case, if the first channel is busy and the second channel is idle, the first channel may be punctured, and the data may be transmitted through the second and third primary channels, the second secondary channel, and the second channel. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels in the first to third bands. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels other than the punctured channel in the first to third bands.

As another example, if the first primary channel is busy and the first BC value is not 0, the first primary channel may be punctured, and channel sensing may performed on the first secondary channel. If the first secondary channel is idle, the data may be transmitted through the first secondary channel, the second and third primary channels, and the second and third secondary channels. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels other than the punctured channel in the first to third bands.

The channel sensing may be performed on the first to third primary channels and the first to third secondary channels for a pre-set duration. The pre-set duration may be set to a PIFS (PCF (Point Coordination Function) Inter Frame Space), an AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space), or one slot.

As another example, the second band may be generated by aggregating a fourth band supported by a first radio frequency (RF) and a fifth band supported by a second RF. That is, each band may be aggregated by dividing the same band into 2 RFs.

The fourth band may include a fourth primary channel and a fourth secondary channel, and the fifth band may include a fifth primary channel and a fifth secondary channel.

If the fourth primary channel is idle and the fourth BC value is not 0, the fourth BC may be set to 0, and the channel sensing may be performed on the fourth secondary channel. If the fifth primary channel is idle and the fifth BC value is 0, the channel sensing may be performed on the fifth secondary channel.

If the fourth secondary channel is idle and the fifth secondary channel is idle, the data may be transmitted through the third primary channel, the third secondary channel, the fourth and fifth primary channels, and the fourth and fifth secondary channels. That is, idle channels may be aggregated in the first to third bands to transmit the data.

Likewise, the channel sensing may be performed during a pre-set period for the fourth to fifth secondary channels. The pre-set period may be set to PIFS (PCF (Point Coordination Function) Inter Frame Space), AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space), or one slot.

In summary, the aforementioned embodiment describes a channel sensing and data transmission method in the presence of BC for each primary channel.

In a first embodiment, if a primary channel of a specific band is in an idle state but a BC value is not 0, a transmitting device may transmit data by setting the BC value to 0. The first embodiment may be applied to the second primary channel. Since the BC value is directly set to 0, there may be a problem in fairness. Advantageously, however, the data can be directly transmitted in the channel.

In a second embodiment, if the primary channel of the specific band is in an idle state but the BC value is not 0, the transmitting device may transmit the data by maintaining the BC value. The second embodiment is an embodiment which is not applied to the first to third primary channels, and a collision probability may increase since data is transmitted even if the BC value is not 0.

In a third embodiment, if the primary channel of the specific band is in a busy state and the BC value is not 0, the transmitting device may not transmit the data by maintaining the BC value. That is, as in the conventional manner, the transmitting device may persistently wait until the BC value is 0 and, when the BC value is 0, may transmit data if the channel is in the idle state. The third embodiment may be applied to the first primary channel. In addition, the third primary channel is also in a state where data can be directly transmitted since the BC value is 0, and thus it can be said that the third embodiment is applied.

In a fourth embodiment, if the primary channel of the specific band is in the busy state and the BC value is not 0, the transmitting device may transmit the data by maintaining the BC value, by performing puncturing on the primary channel and performing channel sensing on a secondary channel. Accordingly, when the secondary channel is idle even if the primary channel is busy, data may be transmitted in a corresponding band, thereby increasing efficiency of the band. In case of a first channel and second channel included in the third secondary channel, the fourth embodiment may be applied.

The first BC value may be selected in a first contention window (CW) determined for the first primary channel. The second BC value may be selected in a second CW determined for the second primary channel. The third BC value may be selected in a third CW determined for the third primary channel. The fourth BC value may be selected in a fourth CW determined for the fourth primary channel. The fifth BC value may be selected in a fifth CW determined for the fifth primary channel.

The transmitting device may receive Block Ack (BA) for the data. The BA may be received through the same channel as the channel on which the data is transmitted.

Hereinafter, a signaling scheme for multi-band aggregation will be described. It is described in the present embodiment that setup information on a multi-band is received, and signaling may be performed by employing an FST setup scheme.

The transmitting device may transmit a multi-band setup request frame to the receiving device. The transmitting device may receive a multi-band setup response frame from the receiving device.

The transmitting device may transmit a multi-band Ack request frame to the receiving device. The transmitting device may receive a multi-band Ack response frame from the receiving device.

The transmitting device may include a first station management entity (SME), a first MAC layer management entity (MLME), and a second MLME. The receiving device may include a second SME, a third MLME, and a fourth MLME.

The first MLME and the third MLME may be entities supporting the first band, and the second MLME and the fourth MLME may be entities supporting the second band.

The multi-band setup request frame and the multi-band setup response frame may be transmitted/received between the first MLME and the third MLME. The multi-band Ack request frame and the multi-band Ack response frame may be transmitted/received between the second MLME and the fourth MLME.

The first and second SMEs may generate a primitive including a multi-band parameter. The multi-band parameter may include a channel number, operating class, and band identifier (ID) designated in the multi-band. The primitive may be transferred to the first to fourth MLMEs.

The multi-band setup scheme includes four states when employing the FST setup scheme, and consists of a rule for a method of transitioning from one state to a next state. The four states are Initial, Setup Completed, Transition Done, and Transition Confirmed.

In the Initial state, the transmitting device and the receiving device communicate in an old band/channel. In this case, upon transmitting/receiving the FST setup request frame and the FST setup response frame between the transmitting device and the receiving device, a transition is made to the Setup Complete state, and the transmitting device and the receiving device are ready to change a band/channel(s) currently operating. An FST session may be entirely or partially transferred to another band/channel.

If a value of LLT included in the FST setup request frame is 0, a transition is made from the Setup Complete state to the Transition Done state, and the transmitting device and the receiving device may operate in another band/channel.

Both the transmitting device and the receiving device shall communicate successfully in a new band/channel to reach the Transition Confirmed state. In this case, upon transmitting/receiving the FST Ack request frame and the FST Ack response frame between the transmitting device and the receiving device, a transition is made to the Transition Confirmed state, and the transmitting device and the receiving device establish a complete connection in the new band/channel.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of receiving data in a receiving device according to the present embodiment.

An example of FIG. 34 may be performed in a network environment in which a next-generation WLAN system is supported. The next-generation WLAN system is a WLAN system evolved from an 802.11ax system, and may satisfy backward compatibility with the 802.11ax system.

The example of FIG. 34 may be performed in the receiving device, and may correspond to an AP. A transmitting device of FIG. 34 may correspond to an STA supporting an extremely high throughput (EHT) WLAN system.

In step S3410, the receiving device transmits setup information on a multi-band in which first to third bands are aggregated.

In step S3420, the receiving device receives the data from the transmitting device. In this case, the data may be transmitted based on channel sensing on the first band to the third band.

The first band includes a first primary channel and a first secondary channel, the second band includes a second primary channel and a second secondary channel, and the third band includes a third primary channel and a third secondary channel.

The first band may be a 2.4 GHz band, the second band may be a 5 GHz band, and the third band may be a 6 GHz band.

Although a case where a multi-band is combination of three bands, i.e., a triple band, is described in the present embodiment, the aforementioned band configuration is only one example, and the WLAN system may support a variety of number of bands and channels. That is, the present embodiment may also include a case where the multi-band is combination of two bands and a case where one band is divided into RFs to combine bands supported by respective RFs.

If the first primary channel is busy and a first backoff count (BC) value is not 0, the first BC value is maintained.

If the second primary channel is idle and a second BC value is not 0, the second BC value is set to 0, and the channel sensing is performed on the second secondary channel.

If the third primary channel is idle and a third BC value is 0, the channel sensing is performed on the third secondary channel.

For example, if the secondary channel is idle and the third secondary channel is idle, the data may be transmitted through the second and third primary channels and the second and third secondary channels. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels in the first to third bands.

As another example, the third secondary channel may include a first channel and a second channel. In this case, if the first channel is busy and the second channel is idle, the first channel may be punctured, and the data may be transmitted through the second and third primary channels, the second secondary channel, and the second channel. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels in the first to third bands. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels other than the punctured channel in the first to third bands.

As another example, if the first primary channel is busy and the first BC value is not 0, the first primary channel may be punctured, and channel sensing may performed on the first secondary channel. If the first secondary channel is idle, the data may be transmitted through the first secondary channel, the second and third primary channels, and the second and third secondary channels. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels other than the punctured channel in the first to third bands.

The channel sensing may be performed on the first to third primary channels and the first to third secondary channels for a pre-set duration. The pre-set duration may be set to a PIFS (PCF (Point Coordination Function) Inter Frame Space), an AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space), or one slot.

As another example, the second band may be generated by aggregating a fourth band supported by a first radio frequency (RF) and a fifth band supported by a second RF. That is, each band may be aggregated by dividing the same band into 2 RFs.

The fourth band may include a fourth primary channel and a fourth secondary channel, and the fifth band may include a fifth primary channel and a fifth secondary channel.

If the fourth primary channel is idle and the fourth BC value is not 0, the fourth BC may be set to 0, and the channel sensing may be performed on the fourth secondary channel. If the fifth primary channel is idle and the fifth BC value is 0, the channel sensing may be performed on the fifth secondary channel.

If the fourth secondary channel is idle and the fifth secondary channel is idle, the data may be transmitted through the third primary channel, the third secondary channel, the fourth and fifth primary channels, and the fourth and fifth secondary channels. That is, idle channels may be aggregated in the first to third bands to transmit the data.

Likewise, the channel sensing may be performed during a pre-set period for the fourth to fifth secondary channels. The pre-set period may be set to PIFS (PCF (Point Coordination Function) Inter Frame Space), AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space), or one slot.

In summary, the aforementioned embodiment describes a channel sensing and data transmission method in the presence of BC for each primary channel.

In a first embodiment, if a primary channel of a specific band is in an idle state but a BC value is not 0, a transmitting device may transmit data by setting the BC value to 0. The first embodiment may be applied to the second primary channel. Since the BC value is directly set to 0, there may be a problem in fairness. Advantageously, however, the data can be directly transmitted in the channel.

In a second embodiment, if the primary channel of the specific band is in an idle state but the BC value is not 0, the transmitting device may transmit the data by maintaining the BC value. The second embodiment is an embodiment which is not applied to the first to third primary channels, and a collision probability may increase since data is transmitted even if the BC value is not 0.

In a third embodiment, if the primary channel of the specific band is in a busy state and the BC value is not 0, the transmitting device may not transmit the data by maintaining the BC value. That is, as in the conventional manner, the transmitting device may persistently wait until the BC value is 0 and, when the BC value is 0, may transmit data if the channel is in the idle state. The third embodiment may be applied to the first primary channel. In addition, the third primary channel is also in a state where data can be directly transmitted since the BC value is 0, and thus it can be said that the third embodiment is applied.

In a fourth embodiment, if the primary channel of the specific band is in the busy state and the BC value is not 0, the transmitting device may transmit the data by maintaining the BC value, by performing puncturing on the primary channel and performing channel sensing on a secondary channel. Accordingly, when the secondary channel is idle even if the primary channel is busy, data may be transmitted in a corresponding band, thereby increasing efficiency of the band. In case of a first channel and second channel included in the third secondary channel, the fourth embodiment may be applied.

The first BC value may be selected in a first contention window (CW) determined for the first primary channel. The second BC value may be selected in a second CW determined for the second primary channel. The third BC value may be selected in a third CW determined for the third primary channel. The fourth BC value may be selected in a fourth CW determined for the fourth primary channel. The fifth BC value may be selected in a fifth CW determined for the fifth primary channel.

The transmitting device may receive Block Ack (BA) for the data. The BA may be received through the same channel as the channel on which the data is transmitted.

Hereinafter, a signaling scheme for multi-band aggregation will be described. It is described in the present embodiment that setup information on a multi-band is received, and signaling may be performed by employing an FST setup scheme.

The transmitting device may transmit a multi-band setup request frame to the receiving device. The transmitting device may receive a multi-band setup response frame from the receiving device.

The transmitting device may transmit a multi-band Ack request frame to the receiving device. The transmitting device may receive a multi-band Ack response frame from the receiving device.

The transmitting device may include a first station management entity (SME), a first MAC layer management entity (MLME), and a second MLME. The receiving device may include a second SME, a third MLME, and a fourth MLME.

The first MLME and the third MLME may be entities supporting the first band, and the second MLME and the fourth MLME may be entities supporting the second band.

The multi-band setup request frame and the multi-band setup response frame may be transmitted/received between the first MLME and the third MLME. The multi-band Ack request frame and the multi-band Ack response frame may be transmitted/received between the second MLME and the fourth MLME.

The first and second SMEs may generate a primitive including a multi-band parameter. The multi-band parameter may include a channel number, operating class, and band identifier (ID) designated in the multi-band. The primitive may be transferred to the first to fourth MLMEs.

The multi-band setup scheme includes four states when employing the FST setup scheme, and consists of a rule for a method of transitioning from one state to a next state. The four states are Initial, Setup Completed, Transition Done, and Transition Confirmed.

In the Initial state, the transmitting device and the receiving device communicate in an old band/channel. In this case, upon transmitting/receiving the FST setup request frame and the FST setup response frame between the transmitting device and the receiving device, a transition is made to the Setup Complete state, and the transmitting device and the receiving device are ready to change a band/channel(s) currently operating. An FST session may be entirely or partially transferred to another band/channel.

If a value of LLT included in the FST setup request frame is 0, a transition is made from the Setup Complete state to the Transition Done state, and the transmitting device and the receiving device may operate in another band/channel.

Both the transmitting device and the receiving device shall communicate successfully in a new band/channel to reach the Transition Confirmed state. In this case, upon transmitting/receiving the FST Ack request frame and the FST Ack response frame between the transmitting device and the receiving device, a transition is made to the Transition Confirmed state, and the transmitting device and the receiving device establish a complete connection in the new band/channel.

5. Device Configuration

FIG. 35 is a diagram describing a device for implementing the above-described method.

A wireless device (100) of FIG. 35 may correspond to an initiator STA, which transmits a signal that is described in the description presented above, and a wireless device (150) may correspond to a responder STA, which receives a signal that is described in the description presented above. At this point, each station may correspond to a 11ay device (or user equipment (UE)) or a PCP/AP. Hereinafter, for simplicity in the description of the present disclosure, the initiator STA transmits a signal is referred to as a transmitting device (100), and the responder STA receiving a signal is referred to as a receiving device (150).

The transmitting device (100) may include a processor (110), a memory (120), and a transmitting/receiving unit (130), and the receiving device (150) may include a processor (160), a memory (170), and a transmitting/receiving unit (180). The transmitting/receiving unit (130, 180) transmits/receives a radio signal and may be operated in a physical layer of IEEE 802.11/3GPP, and so on. The processor (110, 160) may be operated in the physical layer and/or MAC layer and may be operatively connected to the transmitting/receiving unit (130, 180).

The processor (110, 160) and/or the transmitting/receiving unit (130, 180) may include application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), other chipset, logic circuit and/or data processor. The memory (120, 170) may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, memory card, storage medium and/or other storage unit. When the embodiments are executed by software, the techniques (or methods) described herein can be executed with modules (e.g., processes, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. The modules can be stored in the memory (120, 170) and executed by the processor (110, 160). The memory (120, 170) can be implemented (or positioned) within the processor (110, 160) or external to the processor (110, 160). Also, the memory (120, 170) may be operatively connected to the processor (110, 160) via various means known in the art.

The processor 110, 160 may implement the functions, processes and/or methods proposed in the present disclosure. For example, the processor 110, 160 may perform the operation according to the present embodiment.

The operation of the processor 110 of the transmitting device is specifically as follows. The processor 110 of the transmitting device receives setup information on a multi-band, and performs channel sensing on the multi-band to transmit data to the receiving device, based on a result of the channel sensing.

The operation of the processor 160 of the receiving device is specifically as follows. The processor 160 of the receiving device transmits setup information on a multi-band, and receives the transmitted data through the multi-band, based on channel sensing performed on the multi-band.

FIG. 36 shows a UE to which the technical features of the present disclosure can be applied.

A UE includes a processor 610, a power management module 611, a battery 612, a display 613, a keypad 614, a subscriber identification module (SIM) card 615, a memory 620, a transceiver 630, one or more antennas 631, a speaker 640, and a microphone 641.

The processor 610 may be configured to implement proposed functions, procedures and/or methods of the present disclosure described below. The processor 610 may be configured to control one or more other components of the UE 600 to implement proposed functions, procedures and/or methods of the present disclosure described below. Layers of the radio interface protocol may be implemented in the processor 610. The processor 610 may include application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), other chipset, logic circuit and/or data processing device. The processor 610 may be an application processor (AP). The processor 610 may include at least one of a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a modem (modulator and demodulator). An example of the processor 610 may be found in SNAPDRAGON™ series of processors made by Qualcomm®, EXYNOS™ series of processors made by Samsung®, A series of processors made by Apple®, HELIO™ series of processors made by MediaTek®, ATOM™ series of processors made by Intel® or a corresponding next generation processor.

The power management module 611 manages power for the processor 610 and/or the transceiver 630. The battery 612 supplies power to the power management module 611. The display 613 outputs results processed by the processor 610. The keypad 614 receives inputs to be used by the processor 610. The keypad 614 may be shown on the display 613. The SIM card 615 is an integrated circuit that is intended to securely store the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number and its related key, which are used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile telephony devices (such as mobile phones and computers). It is also possible to store contact information on many SIM cards.

The memory 620 is operatively coupled with the processor 610 and stores a variety of information to operate the processor 610. The memory 620 may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, memory card, storage medium and/or other storage device. When the embodiments are implemented in software, the techniques described herein can be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. The modules can be stored in the memory 620 and executed by the processor 610. The memory 620 can be implemented within the processor 610 or external to the processor 610 in which case those can be communicatively coupled to the processor 610 via various means as is known in the art.

The transceiver 630 is operatively coupled with the processor 610, and transmits and/or receives a radio signal. The transceiver 630 includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 630 may include baseband circuitry to process radio frequency signals. The transceiver 630 controls the one or more antennas 631 to transmit and/or receive a radio signal.

The speaker 640 outputs sound-related results processed by the processor 610. The microphone 641 receives sound-related inputs to be used by the processor 610.

In case of a transmitting device, the processor 610 receives setup information on a multi-band, and performs channel sensing on the multi-band to transmit data to the receiving device, based on a result of the channel sensing.

In case of a receiving device, the processor 610 transmits setup information on a multi-band, and receives the transmitted data through the multi-band, based on channel sensing performed on the multi-band.

The first band includes a first primary channel and a first secondary channel, the second band includes a second primary channel and a second secondary channel, and the third band includes a third primary channel and a third secondary channel.

The first band may be a 2.4 GHz band, the second band may be a 5 GHz band, and the third band may be a 6 GHz band.

Although a case where a multi-band is combination of three bands, i.e., a triple band, is described in the present embodiment, the aforementioned band configuration is only one example, and the WLAN system may support a variety of number of bands and channels. That is, the present embodiment may also include a case where the multi-band is combination of two bands and a case where one band is divided into RFs to combine bands supported by respective RFs.

If the first primary channel is busy and a first backoff count (BC) value is not 0, the first BC value is maintained.

If the second primary channel is idle and a second BC value is not 0, the second BC value is set to 0, and the channel sensing is performed on the second secondary channel.

If the third primary channel is idle and a third BC value is 0, the channel sensing is performed on the third secondary channel.

For example, if the secondary channel is idle and the third secondary channel is idle, the data may be transmitted through the second and third primary channels and the second and third secondary channels. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels in the first to third bands.

As another example, the third secondary channel may include a first channel and a second channel. In this case, if the first channel is busy and the second channel is idle, the first channel may be punctured, and the data may be transmitted through the second and third primary channels, the second secondary channel, and the second channel. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels in the first to third bands. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels other than the punctured channel in the first to third bands.

As another example, if the first primary channel is busy and the first BC value is not 0, the first primary channel may be punctured, and channel sensing may performed on the first secondary channel. If the first secondary channel is idle, the data may be transmitted through the first secondary channel, the second and third primary channels, and the second and third secondary channels. That is, the data may be transmitted by aggregating idle channels other than the punctured channel in the first to third bands.

The channel sensing may be performed on the first to third primary channels and the first to third secondary channels for a pre-set duration. The pre-set duration may be set to a PIFS (PCF (Point Coordination Function) Inter Frame Space), an AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space), or one slot.

As another example, the second band may be generated by aggregating a fourth band supported by a first radio frequency (RF) and a fifth band supported by a second RF. That is, each band may be aggregated by dividing the same band into 2 RFs.

The fourth band may include a fourth primary channel and a fourth secondary channel, and the fifth band may include a fifth primary channel and a fifth secondary channel.

If the fourth primary channel is idle and the fourth BC value is not 0, the fourth BC may be set to 0, and the channel sensing may be performed on the fourth secondary channel. If the fifth primary channel is idle and the fifth BC value is 0, the channel sensing may be performed on the fifth secondary channel.

If the fourth secondary channel is idle and the fifth secondary channel is idle, the data may be transmitted through the third primary channel, the third secondary channel, the fourth and fifth primary channels, and the fourth and fifth secondary channels. That is, idle channels may be aggregated in the first to third bands to transmit the data.

Likewise, the channel sensing may be performed during a pre-set period for the fourth to fifth secondary channels. The pre-set period may be set to PIFS (PCF (Point Coordination Function) Inter Frame Space), AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space), or one slot.

In summary, the aforementioned embodiment describes a channel sensing and data transmission method in the presence of BC for each primary channel.

In a first embodiment, if a primary channel of a specific band is in an idle state but a BC value is not 0, a transmitting device may transmit data by setting the BC value to 0. The first embodiment may be applied to the second primary channel. Since the BC value is directly set to 0, there may be a problem in fairness. Advantageously, however, the data can be directly transmitted in the channel.

In a second embodiment, if the primary channel of the specific band is in an idle state but the BC value is not 0, the transmitting device may transmit the data by maintaining the BC value. The second embodiment is an embodiment which is not applied to the first to third primary channels, and a collision probability may increase since data is transmitted even if the BC value is not 0.

In a third embodiment, if the primary channel of the specific band is in a busy state and the BC value is not 0, the transmitting device may not transmit the data by maintaining the BC value. That is, as in the conventional manner, the transmitting device may persistently wait until the BC value is 0 and, when the BC value is 0, may transmit data if the channel is in the idle state. The third embodiment may be applied to the first primary channel. In addition, the third primary channel is also in a state where data can be directly transmitted since the BC value is 0, and thus it can be said that the third embodiment is applied.

In a fourth embodiment, if the primary channel of the specific band is in the busy state and the BC value is not 0, the transmitting device may transmit the data by maintaining the BC value, by performing puncturing on the primary channel and performing channel sensing on a secondary channel. Accordingly, when the secondary channel is idle even if the primary channel is busy, data may be transmitted in a corresponding band, thereby increasing efficiency of the band. In case of a first channel and second channel included in the third secondary channel, the fourth embodiment may be applied.

The first BC value may be selected in a first contention window (CW) determined for the first primary channel. The second BC value may be selected in a second CW determined for the second primary channel. The third BC value may be selected in a third CW determined for the third primary channel. The fourth BC value may be selected in a fourth CW determined for the fourth primary channel. The fifth BC value may be selected in a fifth CW determined for the fifth primary channel.

The transmitting device may receive Block Ack (BA) for the data. The BA may be received through the same channel as the channel on which the data is transmitted.

Hereinafter, a signaling scheme for multi-band aggregation will be described. It is described in the present embodiment that setup information on a multi-band is received, and signaling may be performed by employing an FST setup scheme.

The transmitting device may transmit a multi-band setup request frame to the receiving device. The transmitting device may receive a multi-band setup response frame from the receiving device.

The transmitting device may transmit a multi-band Ack request frame to the receiving device. The transmitting device may receive a multi-band Ack response frame from the receiving device.

The transmitting device may include a first station management entity (SME), a first MAC layer management entity (MLME), and a second MLME. The receiving device may include a second SME, a third MLME, and a fourth MLME.

The first MLME and the third MLME may be entities supporting the first band, and the second MLME and the fourth MLME may be entities supporting the second band.

The multi-band setup request frame and the multi-band setup response frame may be transmitted/received between the first MLME and the third MLME. The multi-band Ack request frame and the multi-band Ack response frame may be transmitted/received between the second MLME and the fourth MLME.

The first and second SMEs may generate a primitive including a multi-band parameter. The multi-band parameter may include a channel number, operating class, and band identifier (ID) designated in the multi-band. The primitive may be transferred to the first to fourth MLMEs.

The multi-band setup scheme includes four states when employing the FST setup scheme, and consists of a rule for a method of transitioning from one state to a next state. The four states are Initial, Setup Completed, Transition Done, and Transition Confirmed.

In the Initial state, the transmitting device and the receiving device communicate in an old band/channel. In this case, upon transmitting/receiving the FST setup request frame and the FST setup response frame between the transmitting device and the receiving device, a transition is made to the Setup Complete state, and the transmitting device and the receiving device are ready to change a band/channel(s) currently operating. An FST session may be entirely or partially transferred to another band/channel.

If a value of LLT included in the FST setup request frame is 0, a transition is made from the Setup Complete state to the Transition Done state, and the transmitting device and the receiving device may operate in another band/channel.

Both the transmitting device and the receiving device shall communicate successfully in a new band/channel to reach the Transition Confirmed state. In this case, upon transmitting/receiving the FST Ack request frame and the FST Ack response frame between the transmitting device and the receiving device, a transition is made to the Transition Confirmed state, and the transmitting device and the receiving device establish a complete connection in the new band/channel. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of transmitting data in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, the method comprising: receiving, by a transmitting device, setup information on a multi-band in which first to third bands are aggregated; performing, by the transmitting device, channel sensing on the first band to the third band; and transmitting, by the transmitting device, the data to a receiving device, based on a result of the channel sensing, wherein the first band includes a first primary channel and a first secondary channel, wherein the second band includes a second primary channel and a second secondary channel, wherein the third band includes a third primary channel and a third secondary channel, wherein, if the first primary channel is busy and a first backoff count (BC) value is not 0, the first BC value is maintained, wherein, if the second primary channel is idle and a second BC value is not 0, the second BC value is set to 0, and the channel sensing is performed on the second secondary channel, and wherein, if the third primary channel is idle and a third BC value is 0, the channel sensing is performed on the third secondary channel.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein, if the secondary channel is idle and the third secondary channel is idle, the data is transmitted through the second and third primary channels and the second and third secondary channels.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the third secondary channel includes a first channel and a second channel, wherein, if the first channel is busy and the second channel is idle, the first channel is punctured, and wherein the data is transmitted through the second and third primary channels, the second secondary channel, and the second channel.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein, if the first primary channel is busy and the first BC value is not 0, the first primary channel is punctured, and channel sensing is performed on the first secondary channel, and wherein, if the first secondary channel is idle, the data is transmitted through the first secondary channel, the second and third primary channels, and the second and third secondary channels.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the channel sensing is performed on the first to third primary channels and the first to third secondary channels for a pre-set duration, and wherein the pre-set duration is set to a PIFS (PCF (Point Coordination Function) Inter Frame Space), an AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space), or one slot.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second band is generated by aggregating a fourth band supported by a first radio frequency (RF) and a fifth band supported by a second RF, wherein the fourth band includes a fourth primary channel and a fourth secondary channel, wherein the fifth band includes a fifth primary channel and a fifth secondary channel, wherein, if the fourth primary channel is idle and the fourth BC value is not 0, the fourth BC is set to 0, and the channel sensing is performed on the fourth secondary channel, and wherein, if the fifth primary channel is idle and the fifth BC value is 0, the channel sensing is performed on the fifth secondary channel.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein, if the fourth secondary channel is idle and the fifth secondary channel is idle, the data is transmitted through the third primary channel, the third secondary channel, the fourth and fifth primary channels, and the fourth and fifth secondary channels.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first BC value is selected in a first contention window (CW) determined for the first primary channel, wherein the second BC value is selected in a second CW determined for the second primary channel, wherein the third BC value is selected in a third CW determined for the third primary channel, wherein the fourth BC value is selected in a fourth CW determined for the fourth primary channel, and wherein the fifth BC value is selected in a fifth CW determined for the fifth primary channel.
 9. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving, by the transmitting device, Block Ack (BA) for the data, wherein the BA is received through the same channel as the channel on which the data is transmitted.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving of the setup information on the multi-band comprises: transmitting, by the transmitting device, a multi-band setup request frame to the receiving device; receiving, by the transmitting device, a multi-band setup response frame from the receiving device; transmitting, by the transmitting device, a multi-band Ack request frame to the receiving device; and receiving, by the transmitting device, a multi-band Ack response frame from the receiving device.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmitting device includes a first station management entity (SME), a first MAC layer management entity (MLME), and a second MLME, wherein the receiving device includes a second SME, a third MLME, and a fourth MLME, wherein the first MLME and the third MLME are entities supporting the first band, wherein the second MLME and the fourth MLME are entities supporting the second band, wherein the multi-band setup request frame and the multi-band setup response frame are transmitted/received between the first MLME and the third MLME, wherein the multi-band Ack request frame and the multi-band Ack response frame are transmitted/received between the second MLME and the fourth MLME, wherein the first and second SMEs generate a primitive including a multi-band parameter, wherein the multi-band parameter includes a channel number, operating class, and band identifier (ID) designated in the multi-band, and wherein the primitive is transferred to the first to fourth MLMEs
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first band is a 2.4 GHz band, wherein the second band is a 5 GHz band, and wherein the third band is a 6 GHz band.
 13. A transmitting device transmitting data in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, the transmitting device comprising: a memory; a transceiver; and a processor operatively coupled with the memory and the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: receive setup information on a multi-band in which first to third bands are aggregated; perform channel sensing on the first band to the third band; and transmit the data to a receiving device, based on a result of the channel sensing, wherein the first band includes a first primary channel and a first secondary channel, wherein the second band includes a second primary channel and a second secondary channel, wherein the third band includes a third primary channel and a third secondary channel, wherein, if the first primary channel is busy and a first backoff count (BC) value is not 0, the first BC value is maintained, wherein, if the second primary channel is idle and a second BC value is not 0, the second BC value is set to 0, and the channel sensing is performed on the second secondary channel, and wherein, if the third primary channel is idle and a third BC value is 0, the channel sensing is performed on the third secondary channel.
 14. The transmitting device of claim 13, wherein, if the secondary channel is idle and the third secondary channel is idle, the data is transmitted through the second and third primary channels and the second and third secondary channels.
 15. The transmitting device of claim 13, wherein the third secondary channel includes a first channel and a second channel, wherein, if the first channel is busy and the second channel is idle, the first channel is punctured, and wherein the data is transmitted through the second and third primary channels, the second secondary channel, and the second channel.
 16. The transmitting device of claim 13, wherein, if the first primary channel is busy and the first BC value is not 0, the first primary channel is punctured, and channel sensing is performed on the first secondary channel, and wherein, if the first secondary channel is idle, the data is transmitted through the first secondary channel, the second and third primary channels, and the second and third secondary channels.
 17. The transmitting device of claim 16, wherein the channel sensing is performed on the first to third primary channels and the first to third secondary channels for a pre-set duration, and wherein the pre-set duration is set to a PIFS (PCF (Point Coordination Function) Inter Frame Space), an AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space), or one slot.
 18. The transmitting device of claim 13, wherein the second band is generated by aggregating a fourth band supported by a first radio frequency (RF) and a fifth band supported by a second RF, wherein the fourth band includes a fourth primary channel and a fourth secondary channel, wherein the fifth band includes a fifth primary channel and a fifth secondary channel, wherein, if the fourth primary channel is idle and the fourth BC value is not 0, the fourth BC is set to 0, and the channel sensing is performed on the fourth secondary channel, and wherein, if the fifth primary channel is idle and the fifth BC value is 0, the channel sensing is performed on the fifth secondary channel.
 19. The transmitting device of claim 18, wherein, if the fourth secondary channel is idle and the fifth secondary channel is idle, the data is transmitted through the third primary channel, the third secondary channel, the fourth and fifth primary channels, and the fourth and fifth secondary channels.
 20. A method of receiving data in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, the method comprising: transmitting, by a receiving device, setup information on a multi-band in which first to third bands are aggregated; and receiving, by the receiving device, the data from a transmitting device, wherein the data is transmitted based on channel sensing on the first band to the third band, wherein the first band includes a first primary channel and a first secondary channel, wherein the second band includes a second primary channel and a second secondary channel, wherein the third band includes a third primary channel and a third secondary channel, wherein, if the first primary channel is busy and a first backoff count (BC) value is not 0, the first BC value is maintained, wherein, if the second primary channel is idle and a second BC value is not 0, the second BC value is set to 0, and the channel sensing is performed on the second secondary channel, and wherein, if the third primary channel is idle and a third BC value is 0, the channel sensing is performed on the third secondary channel. 